Dental veneers are an excellent way to cover your smile flaws. They can address a wide variety of aesthetic dental concerns and instantly project a more beautiful smile. Dental veneers are tooth-colored porcelain shells, which are bonded over the teeth to create a cosmetic enhancement. However, porcelain veneers are not indestructible. They are made of durable material and designed to last for many years, but they must be properly cared for and protected.
- Bad Habits
- Don’t ignore the obvious when it comes to protecting your veneers. Just like your teeth, your veneers are designed to chew food, but not to bite fingernails, chomp ice or open plastic bottles. If you want to retain your smile makeover with veneers, kick these bad habits now.
- Grinding
- Bruxism or teeth grinding is a habit that places unnatural pressures on your teeth. Although you may not realize you are doing it, teeth grinding can damage your dental veneers over time and even cause them to come off. If you frequently grind your teeth at night, consider asking your dentist for a custom nighttime mouthguard to protect your teeth and your veneers.
- Poor Dental Hygiene
- No, you can’t get a cavity on your veneer, but the underlying tooth definitely can! It is highly important to maintain good oral hygiene so that decay, gum disease and other oral health problems are avoided. A veneer-bonded tooth that has tooth decay will fail to support the veneer, which may result in your veneer slipping.
- Dental Trauma
- We can’t always avoid an accident, but you can certainly do your part to protect your teeth from mouth-related injuries in sports. Choose a mouthguard for contact sports to ensure your porcelain veneers are safe.
Choosing an experienced and skilled cosmetic dentist is important when considering veneers. At Park South Dentistry, our cosmetic dentists carefully evaluate your bite, oral health and facial symmetry to ensure your veneers are fit with precision. Make sure to protect your investment by taking care of your veneers as you would your natural teeth. Using good common sense and realizing your veneers are not invincible can help you maximize their lifespan.
