Proper Care of Porcelain Veneers Keeps Them Beautiful and Healthy

If you recently had porcelain veneers applied to your teeth, you’re probably enjoying the new look and feel of your pearly whites. Maybe you had one or more porcelain veneers applied to cracked or chipped teeth, or maybe your teeth were stained due to certain foods and drinks. Or, if you’re thinking about getting porcelain veneers in Columbia, South Carolina, you may want to know how to care for them to ensure a long life for your veneers.

You’ve come to the right place because this blog is going to provide some tips about how to care for porcelain veneers, and if you’re still on the fence about getting them, you’ll see that porcelain veneers are very easy to care for and can last decades.

Whatever dental problem led you to get porcelain veneers is in the past; now, the focus should be on taking great care of your beautiful porcelain veneers to ensure they remain beautiful, strong, and healthy for many years. With proper care of your porcelain veneers, also referred to as “dental veneers” or simply “veneers,” they could last the rest of your life. Your cosmetic dentist in Columbia, SC, will give you very specific instructions on what to brush and floss your teeth with following the application of dental veneers and what foods and drinks to avoid, but here are some pointers on how to ensure your porcelain veneers look great and last long.

Toothpaste Tips for Porcelain Veneers

While some toothpaste brands will advertise that they are made to make porcelain veneers whiter and brighter, that simply is not possible. In fact, many types of toothpaste contain harsh ingredients that are abrasive to porcelain veneers and can actually scratch the exterior surface of the veneer. Most cosmetic dentists in Columbia, South Carolina will tell you that gels are much better for your veneers than toothpaste.

Your cosmetic dentist in Columbia will also tell you to steer clear of any toothpaste or gel containing baking soda or hydrogen peroxide. These substances are much too abrasive for delicate porcelain veneers and may damage the veneer, leading to necessary repair work or a whole new veneer. Non-abrasive gel toothpaste help preserve dental restorations and keep veneers whiter and brighter longer.

Tooth-whitening toothpaste may very well do a nice job of whitening and brightening natural teeth, but it cannot improve the color and brightness of porcelain veneers. In fact, due to having ingredients that can scratch the surface of the veneer, tooth-whitening pastes will likely do more harm than good to your beautiful veneers. Tooth-whitening pastes will cause the veneers to lose their natural sheen, and scratches on veneers can be dangerous to your tooth and mouth health because scratches can harbor food particles and staining agents that will damage the veneer and the underlying tooth.

Lastly, fluoride toothpaste is recommended because even though Columbia, SC porcelain veneers cannot get cavities, the teeth underneath the veneer certainly can. Fluoride toothpaste keeps the teeth under the porcelain veneers healthy and strong, which prolongs the life of your veneers. When porcelain veneers have to be replaced, it’s often because of tooth decay; fluoride toothpaste helps prevent the tooth decay that often causes veneers to be replaced.