If you are ready for instant self-assurance and a smile that will light up the room, veneers may be the answer for you. A solution for an extensive range of concerns, veneers are attached to the front of the teeth to conceal imperfections. It is important to keep in mind that veneers are made of porcelain, which is strong, but not invincible.
At Cosmetic Dentistry of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM, Dr. Byron Wall uses a reputable and respected dental lab. Technicians there fabricate veneers with durable, esthetic porcelain so that the life-changing results can last as long as possible. With proper care, your porcelain veneers can last for years. Our team can provide all the direction you need for maintaining your veneers.
Consistent Oral Hygiene at Home
Healthy, beautiful smiles require practicing good oral hygiene at home. With both natural teeth and porcelain veneers, brushing twice daily with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste is essential. In addition to brushing, flossing helps keep gums free of periodontal disease and day-to-day plaque build-up, which helps maintain the quality of veneers.
Speak to Dr. Wall to learn if dental floss, plastic picks, or water flossing is right for you. Consistent brushing and flossing at home are the first step of making sure your natural teeth and veneers stay in tip-top shape.
Regular Exams and Cleanings
To avoid developing serious dental health problems, dental check-ups are recommended twice per year for everyone. Prevention is the best medicine. Biannual checkups and cleanings allow us to remove tartar and bacteria to deter tooth decay, gum disease, and embarrassing halitosis.
Plaque naturally accumulates on teeth, even in healthy mouths. If plaque isn’t removed in 48 hours, it hardens into tartar, also called calculus. Only a dentist or hygienist can remove tartar, an important step of professional cleanings.
Limit Bad Habits and Staining Foods
Unlike your natural enamel, veneers are not susceptible to staining. But because dental restorations are made of porcelain, veneers do not respond to whitening treatments. Chemical whitening treatments are designed to bleach the natural tooth enamel, not restorations.
Thankfully, whitening treatments can be performed at our Albuquerque office before the placement of veneers for a Hollywood smile. Ask Dr. Wall if you have more questions about this option.
To keep your smile white and bright, avoid or minimize the following food, drinks, and habits:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Dark-Colored Sodas
- Red Wine
- Food Coloring
- Tomato-Based Sauce
- Smoking and Chewing Tobacco
Don’t Bite or Chew Hard Objects
Your teeth are not tools. Veneers can crack, break, and wear down just like your natural teeth, so please be easy on them. Avoid biting and chewing on the following:
- Ice
- Pens
- Hard Seeds
- Fruit Pits
- Hard Candy
- Frozen Ice Pops
- Hard Plastics
- Metal Objects
Respect your porcelain veneers like your natural teeth. When paired with healthy habits, veneers are a long-lasting procedure for those wanting to enhance their grin.
Connect with Our Albuquerque Office Today
If you are interested in learning more about porcelain veneer maintenance, results, or cost, contact us today. Call (505) 847-8466 or message Cosmetic Dentistry of New Mexico to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wall and our highly trained staff.