5 Easy Tips to Make Your Porcelain Veneers Last Longer
Porcelain veneers can last between 10 and 15 years with proper care. That’s why we recommend that you see our cosmetic dentists in Grandville, MI, at least every six months for preventive care. In addition to routine checkups, there are things you can do at home to ensure the longevity of your new porcelain dental veneers.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re a candidate for porcelain veneers or have recently completed the procedure at our office.
1. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
One of the main benefits of porcelain veneers is their ability to last for years with proper care. As always, make sure that you’re brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time.
In general, you should dedicate 30 seconds to each quadrant of your mouth. That way, each tooth in your smile will be able to receive the care and attention they deserve. You should also floss once a day to remove any food particles or plaque hiding between teeth.
2. Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
Are you guilty of using your teeth as a tool? Examples include using your front teeth to tear envelopes or open cans. Your teeth weren’t designed to tear into non-food items. For this reason, it’s best if you use the proper tools to complete everyday tasks.
If you continue to use your teeth as tools, you risk damaging your smile. For veneers, the most common types of damage are chips and cracks.
3. Prevent Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Do you grind or clench your teeth at night? If you wake up with jaw pain and experience chronic headaches, it’s a distinct possibility. That’s why we recommend booking an appointment with one of our dentists if you suspect you have bruxism. From there, they’ll be able to create a custom bite splint for you to wear while you sleep.
A bite splint forms a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing further damage to your smile.
4. Be Mindful of Coffee and Tea
Coffee and tea are both staining beverages. While are resistant to stains, they’re not immune. For this reason, we recommend that you reduce how much coffee or tea you drink. This small change can help preserve the look of your . That way, you’ll be able to show off your pearly whites for years to come.
Related: Should I Whiten My Teeth or Get Veneers? →
5. Schedule Routine Teeth Cleanings
In general, we recommend that patients schedule teeth cleanings at least every six months. However, we may recommend more frequent dental cleanings if you have a condition that requires close monitoring. For example, our dentists may recommend more frequent cleanings if you have periodontitis.
Teeth cleaning appointments are important because they allow us to evaluate the health and condition of your smile. They also allow us to detect oral health issues in their early stages before they have the opportunity to worsen.
Book a Consultation for Porcelain Veneers
Our cosmetic dentists in Grandville, MI, are accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment and learn more care tips, call 44 West Dental Professionals at (616) 530-2200. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.