A person’s smile is one of the most attractive parts of them, which is why they go to extra lengths just to maintain their dazzling smile. However, veneers have become more popular than ever in recent years, thanks to a lot of social media influencers flashing beaming smiles on their social media accounts. You could imagine the surge of people dropping by their local dentists to get that smile makeover. But because of how expensive porcelain veneers are, many more opt for the next best thing, which is composite veneers.
What are composite veneers?
Composite veneers are a type of veneer made of a thin composite resin that is directly applied to the tooth without damaging the enamel. Compared to porcelain, they are much cheaper and last for around five to seven years with continued maintenance. After that, they wear out, so you’ll need to get new ones, unlike porcelain veneers, which last for a good 10 to 15 years.
So if your budget is a little shy about purchasing porcelain, then you could try out composite veneers first. To make the most of your veneers, here are a few aftercare tips that could help make them last a long.
Habits to adopt to keep your veneers healthy.
You should care for your veneers the same way you care for your natural teeth, so here are a few tips to make them last longer.
Brushing and flossing your teeth. The chance of your composite veneers wearing out quickly is higher if you don’t take care of them, so make sure you brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush for at least two minutes twice a day and floss once a day. There’s been a common misconception about flossing among some people, leading them to believe that you can’t do so once you have veneers. However, this is not true at all, and if you’re unable to floss between your veneers, it’s an indication that they are not aligned properly, so you should head back to your dentist if this is the case.
Dentists also recommend you get scaled and polished at least every three to six months for maintenance.
Tips to avoid damaging your veneers.
Your teeth are a part of your body, and with the addition of your new veneers, you should not treat them as a tool or such. Make sure to avoid doing these things so you won’t damage your new smile.
- Avoid eating hard foods, and be gentle with your teeth. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then you have to lay off on the candies and sweets since biting into them could crack your veneers. You don’t want to go back to the dentist’s and splurge another few thousand dollars to get them fixed, right? Speaking of hard, you should also not use your teeth to open packages or beer bottles since it could chip and damage your tooth. Aside from hard food, you should also cut back on consuming acidic foods and beverages. Usually, these can not only stain your teeth but also damage them, so try to lessen your alcohol and coffee intake for starters.
- Avoid grinding your teeth. This one might be hard for some, especially if they’re unaware that they grind their teeth at night. But don’t worry, this condition called bruxism is treatable; you just need to make a quick trip to your dentist to address this concern. They could provide solutions to combat this condition, and the most popular way to do so is by using night-time mouthguards.
- Quit smoking. Aside from causing other health issues, smoking and vaping can stain your teeth because of the nicotine and tar found in tobacco. People who smoke tend to experience yellowing teeth faster, with many more of them claiming that their teeth have turned brown after some time. So if you’re a smoker, it’s best to give up that unhealthy habit to preserve your veneers.
Maintaining that perfect smile.
Preserving your composite veneers means changing a bit of your lifestyle, which may be hard if you’re used to doing some of the aforementioned things, but with regular practice, we’re sure you could adopt these healthy habits to maintain your smile. While we’re at it, make sure you have regular, scheduled trips to the dentist. It’s not enough to practice all the tips we mentioned before since, at the end of the day, your dentist is still the one who can assess if your veneers are in great condition or not. Composite veneers are a great way to enhance your smile, but just make sure you attend your regular dental check-ups on top of following these tips to ensure its longevity.
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