As we get older suddenly we realised many things we didn't appreciate about being young - being fit, having smooth skin and having all your own teeth. As our loose teeth (and bridges) struggle to deal with chewier food we start eating bland mush and, there is no easy way to say this, OLD PEOPLE FOOD. I'm determined not to let that happen to me and I'm doing everything I can to keep my own teeth as long as possible, and when that's not possible to get the best possible teeth replacement. If you are like me and want to keep on eating whatever you want, I think you'll like my site. It's all about dental health and teeth replacement & maintenance.
Keeping your teeth young
Prolonging the Lustre of Veneers: How to Keep Your Porcelain Veneers Looking White and Bright for Longer
Mabel Hicks
When it comes to cosmetic dental makeovers, porcelain veneers are at the pinnacle of dentistry. They are also not cheap. Treat them well and you could get 15 years out of them, maybe more. However, if you smoke cigarettes and drink coffee, you may be worried about what this might do to your veneers. You needn't worry in this regard because veneers don't stain like natural teeth.
Despite that, there are still some measures that you can take to ensure that your porcelain veneers retain their glossy, white finish. If you have recently invested in a set of veneers, keep them white and bright by doing the following.
Visit Your Dentist for Polishing
Well-made veneers should be glossy and lustrous. However, they may, after a year or two, lose some of their sparkle. When this happens, they will look duller than they should. Pay your dentist a visit when this happens and have them polish your veneers with a non-abrasive polish to return them to their former state. You can also talk with a dentist about professional teeth whitening if you want all of your teeth to match.
Remember too that whenever you go for a dental cleaning, be sure to tell your hygienist that you have veneers. They will then take more care when cleaning your teeth.
Use a Low-Abrasive Toothpaste to Remove Discolouration
Although in general, you should avoid abrasive toothpastes because they end up dulling the veneers. If you notice any surface stains or discolouration, you can use a low-abrasive toothpaste to remove them.
Apply Whitening Strips to Remove Surface Stains
Whitening strips are also a handy and safe way of removing surface stains from veneers. Because veneers are not porous, any staining that occurs will only be at a surface level. Therefore, applying several whitening strips to your veneers should easily remove any stains. Just make sure to talk with your dentist before using any whitening product.
Wash Out Your Mouth After Drinking Coffee or Smoking
Coffee and cigarettes won't permanently stain veneers; however, they will cause some surface discolouration after prolonged use. To keep this surface staining at a minimum, try to wash your mouth out after every cup of coffee and every cigarette smoked.
There is one area that might be at risk of picking up more permanent stains and that is the edge of the veneers, where they are bonded to the teeth. Stains may accumulate along these edges if your oral hygiene is poor. Stay on top of your oral hygiene and you can keep this kind of staining at bay.
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