Dental veneers are used to treat a variety of issues, including damaged, misshapen, or misaligned teeth. While they can let patients enjoy an attractive, natural-looking smile, these tooth coverings may show signs of aging and staining without adequate care. Taking steps to prevent unnecessary stains helps keep veneers looking bright and beautiful.
The most important step in stain prevention for veneers is maintaining a healthy dental hygiene routine. Patients with this type of treatment can benefit from increasing the frequency of tooth brushing and seeing a dentist on a regular basis.
A minimum of twice-daily brushing is necessary to keep teeth, gums, and veneers clean and healthy. Removing leftover food particles helps prevent staining. Most toothpastes are safe to use on veneers, but many dentists recommend avoiding whitening toothpastes. These products, which often contain abrasive ingredients, can cause irreversible damage to some porcelain surfaces, making stains worse.
Flossing is another important step in routine care for veneers. This can reduce staining between teeth while preventing an overgrowth of bacteria along the gum line. Dental professionals recommend a minimum of flossing once a day for better oral health and a cleaner smile.
Unless recommended by a dentist, daily use of a mouthwash is not a requirement for good oral hygiene. Still, many patients enjoy the benefits of fresher breath, healthier gums, and a brighter smile gained by adding mouthwash to a dental care routine. However, over time, the alcohols present in many of these products can weaken the bonding agent used to apply veneers. To be safe, patients should opt for an alcohol-free option.
Routine dental cleanings help remove the plaque buildup that gives teeth and veneers a yellowed appearance. Patients should strive to maintain regular six-month appointments and avoid a lapse between visits. When at the office for a regular checkup, patients can also discuss whitening options if stains or signs of aging start to appear. Depending on the type of material used, there may be solutions to gently reduce the appearance of stains without damaging the veneers themselves.
Certain dietary choices can leave stains behind on both veneers and natural teeth. However, because traditional tooth-whitening treatments are not an option for veneers, some items should be avoided altogether. These include:
Patients with veneers who choose to consume these foods or beverages, even in moderation, should rinse and brush immediately after. In addition, tobacco products should be avoided, as the ingredients lead to unsightly staining along with serious health problems.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Veneers and Dental Laminates in San Diego, CA
Just as with natural teeth, staining can be an issue with veneers. Many at-home and professional whitening treatments cannot be used on veneers. However, patients who are proactive about home care and lifestyle choices can help prevent or reduce staining for a whiter, more beautiful smile.
Request an appointment or call Mission Valley Dental Arts at 619-805-4248 for an appointment in our San Diego office.
You can benefit from getting dental veneers if you want to improve your smile. Dental veneers are thin coverings that are attached to the front surface of teeth to make a smile more pleasing. They can help to fix a wide range of cosmetic dental issues. There are many potential benefits of getting veneers, which…
For patients with aesthetic and structural tooth imperfections, dental veneers are a common solution for improving the function and look of one’s smile. This restorative option involves attaching custom-designed shells, made from either composite materials or porcelain, over the front, visible portion of a tooth. For patients considering this solution to enhance the appearance of…
People who are uncomfortable about small gaps between their teeth can use veneers to erase the extra spaces and bring uniformity back to their mouth. Cosmetic dentistry can restore both function and appearance to teeth when trauma, loss, or discoloring has occurred. Rather than avoiding social interaction, family pictures, or the occasional selfie, look into…
Invisalign® aligners work most effectively when you are consistent with using them. While that sounds simple, there are a lot of ways you might struggle with developing a routine. One of the reasons people like Invisalign aligners so much is because the trays are removable and customizable. But these things can also work against you…
Children often look forward to their teenage years but are rarely excited about getting braces. Fortunately, Invisalign® provides an efficient and faster teeth straightening method without the need for the metal wires and brackets of traditional braces. With multiple benefits, Invisalign has become the clear alternative to teen braces. The Invisalign system is a series…
