Have you recently had a new set of dental veneers placed over your teeth? If so, you are probably aware that porcelain veneers are not intended to last forever. What you may not know is that there are steps you can take to ensure you enjoy the maximum lifespan that your veneers have to offer.

Never Flex Your Teeth When Wearing Veneers

People often view their teeth as stationary objects that do not move on their own. However, the truth is, even the strongest teeth will offer some flexibility in order to help prevent breakage. While the flexing of your teeth is often so minor that you do not even feel it happening, it can be enough to damage your veneers.

The most common time that teeth flex is when completing side to side movements, such as ripping open a bag or other type of packaging. While your natural teeth are certainly strong enough to withstand this type of movement, your veneers are not. In fact, something as simple as opening a bag of chips with your teeth can cause your porcelain veneers to either come off or crack.

Always Use A Straw

One of the reasons that many people choose dental veneers over other cosmetic options is the fact that veneers offer an impressive amount of stain resistance. For many people, this not only means achieving a beautifully white smile, but the ability to easily maintain this smile as well. Unfortunately, what many of these individuals do not know is that while their veneers are highly resistant to stains, the cement used to secure their veneers is not.

When drinking beverages such as coffee and soda, the dental cement used to secure your veneers can become stained in the same manner as your natural teeth would stain. If this happens, your entire set of veneers will need to be replaced in order to restore the cosmetic appearance that you once enjoyed. Using a straw when consuming these beverages will limit the risk of this happening by allowing the liquid to bypass your teeth.

In Conclusion

Having a new set of porcelain veneers placed over your teeth can be a rather expensive venture. Thankfully, it is possible to ensure this investment lasts for many years to come by taking some simple steps to properly care for your veneers. If you find that you are still unsure about the best way to care for your new veneers, be sure to direct your questions to a qualified cosmetic dentist, such as Aaron G Birch, DDS PC, so that you can get the answers you need.