Maintaining Your Veneers

Posted .

Woman holding a large maple leaf

If your teeth need a little improvement, dental veneers may be for you. You may have some minor chips in your teeth, or maybe your teeth are a little discolored due to age, disease or tobacco use. Your teeth may be unevenly spaced. Fortunately, veneers can conceal and correct these problems, and give you a smile of which you can be proud. But you will need to take care of them if you want them to last.

First, you need to understand that in order to place veneers on your teeth, your dentist will need to remove some of the enamel from your teeth, which means that the process is irreversible. After removing the enamel, your dentist will make impressions of those teeth which will be used by a dental lab to create veneers that will fit your smile, and blend in with your other teeth. When those veneers are ready, your dentist will attach them with dental cement.

Your veneers are strong, but they aren’t meant to last forever. More than likely, they will need to be replaced in 10 to 15 years, but you can take steps to get the most out of them. Eating hard or tough foods or chewing ice can chip your veneers. If you are in the habit of chewing on a pen while you work, your veneers can be damaged. If you open a package by biting down on one corner and giving the other corner a good hard pull, you might damage a veneer. If you are in the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, you may chip your veneers over time, and the cement can wear away from your veneers.

Of course, with your veneers, you will still need to brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. You will also need to continue to see your dentist for your routine cleanings and exams and to have your dentist check your veneers.

If you are interested in improving your look with dental veneers and are willing to take the time and effort maintain them, our dentist, Dr. Pallavi Rakesh will be happy to meet you and talk with you about the procedure. To make an appointment at Ace Dentistry Family Dental & Cosmetic Dentist in Alpharetta, Georgia, you can call 678-562-1555 today and get started on the smile of your dreams!