If you’ve recently gotten porcelain veneers or are thinking about getting veneers from the team at the office of Dr. Douglas G. Hope there are a few things you should avoid to keep your veneers in great shape. Read on, and make sure you don’t make these mistakes!
Don’t Chew Extremely Hard Foods With Your Veneers
As a rule, any food that could potentially damage a natural tooth could also crack or dislodge one of your veneers. This means that you should avoid chewing extremely hard foods with your veneers, such as:
- Ice
- Hard nuts (almonds, etc.)
- Hard candy
If you do eat a very hard food, you should make sure you chew it with your rear molars, which have a larger surface area and are less prone to chipping and damage, compared to your veneers.
Avoid Chewing Non-Food Objects
Beyond avoiding hard foods such as nuts and ice, you should also make sure you do not chew non-food objects like your fingernails, pens and pencils, or any other such items. Chewing these hard objects can damage and dislodge your veneers over time, particularly if you make it a regular habit.
Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
If you tend to use your teeth to do things like open bags of chips, packages of food, tear tape, or do similar things, it is important to break that habit right away. Your teeth are not meant to be used as tools. You risk damaging both your veneers and your natural teeth if you continue to use them to open packaging. Instead, try to remember to always have a letter opener or scissors near-by.
Don’t Use Any Kind of Tobacco Product
If you’ve just gotten a new smile with veneers, why ruin it by smoking or chewing tobacco? Smoking and oral tobacco use won’t stain your veneers, but it will stain your untreated teeth.
Not only that, but tobacco use also corresponds with a higher risk of cancer, gum disease, and tooth decay. Getting veneers is the perfect time to kick your tobacco habit. So don’t use tobacco after you get veneers. Your smile and your body will thank you!
Avoid Damage From Grinding or Sports – Get a Nightguard or Mouthguard
If you play a contact sport like hockey, soccer, football, or rugby you should get a custom mouthguard to protect your new smile. And if you tend to grind your teeth at night, it is important to get a nightguard to protect your veneers. Untreated clenching and grinding can damage your veneers and your teeth.
Keep Your New Smile Healthy – Avoid These Common Mistakes After Getting Veneers!
By avoiding these mistakes, you can keep your smile healthy, and ensure that your new veneers look great for years to come. Not sure if veneers are right for you? Interested in learning more?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Douglas G. Hope now. As an experienced cosmetic dentist who services patients from San Marcos, Valley Center, and Rancho Bernardo, Dr. Hope can help you explore your options for cosmetic treatment, including veneers. To get started, just give us a call at (760) 480-8883.
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