Porcelain veneers can give you the perfect smile you’ve always craved. If you care for them properly and take the right precautions, they can last for decades before requiring replacement. To keep your veneers in great shape, make sure you avoid these three bad habits.
Bad Habit #1: Grinding or clenching your teeth.
Most people who grind or clench their teeth do so at night and aren’t very aware that they’re doing so. If you wake up with an aching jaw or sore teeth, this is a sign that you’re grinding or clenching your teeth at night. This habit is almost certain to lead to chipped or cracked veneers eventually. Luckily, there’s a simple solution. See your dentist to have a custom mouth guard made. Wear the guard every night; it will prevent you from grinding your teeth and damaging your veneers.
Bad Habit #2: Failing to take care of your gums.
If you develop gum disease when you have veneers, your gums may recede. This will create a gap between the top of your veneers and your gums, which is pretty unsightly and may require you to have the veneers replaced to maintain your smile’s appearance. So, take excellent care of your gums by brushing twice per day, flossing daily, and using an antiseptic mouthwash after brushing. If you experience signs of gum disease, such as bleeding after brushing or sore gums, see your dentist promptly before the condition has a chance to get worse.
Bad Habit #3: Biting hard foods and objects.
Once you get used to your veneers, you should be able to eat almost anything without an issue. However, you should avoid biting very hard foods like hard candy and nut shells, as these can crack your veneers. You should also never open packages or bite any other non-food items with your teeth.
If you would like more information about keeping your veneers in good shape, or if you’re interesting in making over your smile with a new set of veneers, contact us to schedule a consultation.
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