The Times Real Estate

.

Looking After Your Porcelain Veneers

  • Written by NewsServices.com

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are tooth-shaped shells of dental porcelain that are bonded onto the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance -- or sometimes to protect them! 

Every porcelain veneer is custom sculpted to fit over only one tooth. Then it's permanently bonded there to make your smile look perfect. 

Sometimes porcelain veneers Sydney are used for cosmetic purposes, but they're also helpful in protecting stressed-out teeth that have made a few too many trips to the ice cream parlour. 

Chipped or cracked teeth can lead to more significant problems down the road. Veneers you’re your teeth extra protection against future damage and stains.  

Who is a candidate for porcelain veneers?

A good candidate for these cosmetic procedures has teeth that are in fairly good shape but have chips, discoloration or gaps between them. The ideal patient also has healthy gum tissue and gums that do not recede excessively. If you are looking to improve your smile without undergoing an invasive procedure, then porcelain veneers may be the right choice for you. 

Why You Should Look After Your Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are a strong type of dental cosmetic. Even though they look like natural teeth, it is essential to maintain them by keeping the enamel in good condition and looking after their surface against damaging substances. If your porcelain veneers lose their appearance through neglect or carelessness, then the dentist may be less likely to recommend them for you next time. Porcelain is very hard-wearing, but it will scratch if nipped by something sharp, which dulls its glossy appearance. It might also break with an impact that would typically leave untreated teeth undamaged. 

How to keep your porcelain veneers clean

It is best to brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss them every night. Take care to use a soft-bristled brush even if you have very sensitive teeth because the harder bristles of other toothbrushes can scratch the porcelain surface. It would help if you also took care not to allow any fluids containing acid, such as soft drinks or fruit juice, to stay in contact with your veneers for long periods. 

Follow these simple steps to maintain your porcelain veneers: 

-Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss every night. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush even if you have sensitive teeth because the harder bristles of other toothbrushes can scratch the porcelain surface. If brushing and flossing do not remove all the plaque, try using dental floss, which is impregnated with fluoride for this purpose. 

-Cleaning your veneers is best done using lukewarm water and a damp soapy flannel followed by careful drying with another clean flannel or towel. Never scrub them dry because this can damage their fine texture, encouraging plaque to build upon them.  

-Never use any strong chemicals such as bleach or an acid-containing mouthwash around your veneers because it will damage their surface and leave you looking like a goldfish (with a black membrane over its eyes). Also, avoid very hot drinks and foods, such as tea and coffee, saunas and steam baths.