While dental veneers are devices that cannot decay, the tooth underneath remains exposed to periodontal disease and decay. Having good oral hygiene is therefore essential after dental veneer placement.
Here are 5 good practices to adopt to keep your teeth fresh and healthy over time.
1 – use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush teeth with dental veneers
Hard-bristled toothbrushes tend to damage the enamel, which makes the tooth more exposed to bacteria and therefore, to the risk of cavities . If you have dental veneers, opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush to best maintain the teeth underneath, but also all those around them. Make gentle movements, from bottom to top, from the gum to the tip of the tooth, and movements on the face of the teeth. Avoid forcing the toothbrush, the pressure should not be great if you want to keep your teeth healthy and brush your teeth with dental veneers effectively.
2 – remove residue with dental floss after brushing your dental veneers
Dental plaque is maintained by bacteria that are present in food residues and overly acidic saliva. Sugar is particularly dangerous since it is very popular with bacteria that feed on it to attack the enamel or develop dental plaque, which is often the cause of periodontal diseases such as gingivitis. The installation of dental veneers does not protect against these diseases, so it is imperative to eliminate food residues using dental floss.
Clean the interdental areas with floss without making yourself bleed. If you notice that your gums are sensitive and bleed easily, do not delay and consult a dentist quickly, it may be the beginning of gingivitis or more serious periodontitis that affects the underlying bone.
3 – brush your teeth several times a day to keep your dental veneers clean
There is no secret, to have a healthy mouth, you must clean your teeth several times a day, even after dental veneers have been fitted. This will allow you to eliminate bacteria and therefore, to push back the risk of cavities appearing. This cleaning is also important to eliminate dental plaque, the real enemy of teeth.
Teeth brushing with veneer – Richard Landry Clinic in Montreal
4 – clean stains on your dental veneers after drinking foods that stain the enamel
Your teeth and dental veneers (depending on their composition) can be stained by certain foods or drinks such as wine, tea, coffee, blueberries, etc. The ideal is to brush your teeth after each meal, especially if you have eaten sugary foods or foods that tend to leave stains on your teeth. This is how you will keep your smile white and bright.
5 – carry out regular scaling of veneers
Just because you have dental veneers does not mean you are exempt from scaling. This should be done every 6 months, if you have good oral hygiene. The dentist removes dental plaque to prevent periodontal disease and the appearance of cavities. Scaling also allows you to slightly lighten the enamel and therefore rebalance the tones between the teeth and the dental veneers. Our dental care service in Montreal includes scaling and can provide you with a complete cleaning of your teeth.
The installation of dental veneers does not impose any specific practice regarding brushing. On the other hand, it is necessary to adopt good cleaning habits, the same as for teeth without veneers. Maintenance is the key to a healthy mouth, when teeth are brushed carefully, using an adequate brush and quality toothpaste, cavities and dental plaque do not succeed in establishing themselves permanently.
