You’ve just rewarded yourself with a new smile makeover thanks to dental veneers. What is the best way to preserve that new smile? [pullquote]Porcelain veneers are strong enough that they actually offer protection to damaged teeth and durable enough to provide stability to treated teeth.[/pullquote]

Veneers are a very thin shell usually made from porcelain that are affixed to the front of the teeth they are intended to cover. A very small amount of your tooth’s enamel will be removed to permanently attach the porcelain veneer, but not enough to change the overall contour of your natural smile. This makes getting porcelain veneers less invasive than other cosmetic procedures.

Porcelain veneers are strong enough that they actually offer protection to damaged teeth and durable enough to provide stability to treated teeth.

But just like the enamel of your own teeth, porcelain veneers are not indestructible. There are a few good rules to observe with veneers, but in reality these rules are just good common sense:

  • Avoid chewing hard objects like ice. Sticky foods like caramel should be eaten with extra care.
  • If you are a nail biter, this is a habit you definitely should break.
  • Like to nibble on pencils or pens while you work? This is not only hard on veneers, but your general health could suffer due to the germs you are ingesting.
  • Hard foods like carrots or apples should be cut up to eat. Biting into foods like this could break a porcelain veneer.
  • If you use your teeth to rip open packages, invest in a pair of scissors and nix this habit.

Porcelain veneers do not respond to teeth whitening products, so plan to perform any teeth whitening procedures prior to scheduling your veneer appointment. Your cosmetic dentist will be able to better match the desired shape and shade of your new veneers if all other enhancements are completed in advance.

Care of your new veneers is as easy as the good oral hygiene habits you observe with your natural teeth. Daily flossing and brushing at least twice per day with toothpaste or gel are good preventive maintenance measures for your veneers as well as your teeth.

Twice annual visits to your dental provider for a professional cleaning and exam are recommended to keep your teeth and veneers as healthy as possible. Taking good care of your own teeth, as well as your porcelain veneers, will be rewarded with many years of a bright, dazzling smile.

To learn more and to schedule a consultation, please contact Nicholas Kemp Dentistry in Toronto at 416-922-1012.