Best Toothpaste for Porcelain Veneers
People suffering from serious cosmetic flaws that affect their smile can benefit from porcelain veneers. These versatile shells of dental ceramic can mask imperfections from view, making your smile appear flawless. With proper care, porcelain veneers can last a long time. Unfortunately, some people do serious damage to their veneers simply by brushing their teeth.
Dr. James Altomare goes over the porcelain veneer aftercare process with all patients in the Skillman, Montgomery, and Princeton, NJ area. Below we’d like to focus on the effects your toothpaste could be having on your porcelain veneers.
Can Toothpaste Really Affect My Porcelain Veneers?
Yes.
Though we often take it for granted, the type of toothpaste that you use can harm porcelain veneer material and reduce the lifespan of your dental work. While durable, veneer structure can be damaged, and sometimes in unexpected ways.
Why You Should Avoid Toothpaste with Abrasive Ingredients
Abrasive ingredients are common in many toothpastes. Baking soda is just one common abrasive. While intended to polish your teeth, these abrasive ingredients can actually wear down tooth material as well as veneer material. Think of abrasives as a type of fine grain sandpaper that’s used on your smile. That should help you understand why these kinds of toothpastes are less than ideal.
Why You Should Avoid Whitening Toothpastes
The hydrogen peroxide of teeth whitening toothpastes can do more harm to your veneers than good. Veneer material gets softer when exposed to hydrogen peroxide. That means that simply brushing your teeth can polish away a veneer little by little over time. Since porcelain veneers can’t be bleached like tooth material, there are few benefits to using a whitening toothpaste.
The Ideal Choice: Non-Abrasive Gel Toothpastes
Non-abrasive gel toothpastes are the ideal type of toothpaste to use if you have porcelain veneers or dental crowns. These kinds of toothpastes are sometimes referred to as cosmetic dentistry toothpastes, or note that they are ideal for people with veneers and crowns on the label.
During the consultation process, we can recommend a few toothpastes to consider and also help you understand what to look for the next time you’re shopping online or at the store.
What Kind of Toothbrush Should I Use?
In addition to the toothpaste you use, it’s important to use the right kind of toothbrush. A soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head is the best option. The bristles will not damage your tooth structure or dental work while you polish your teeth. In addition, the small head will allow you to clean the hard-to-reach places in your mouth.
With Good Care, How Long Will My Porcelain Veneers Last?
If you follow oral hygiene and aftercare instructions closely, your porcelain veneers should last 10 to 15 years. Once you’re ready for new veneers, just stop by the practice again and we’ll be able to help create a new set of veneers just for you.
Learn More About Oral Hygiene After Dental Treatment
If you live in the greater Princeton area and would like to learn more about proper aftercare for porcelain veneers, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic and restorative dentist. You can reach our office in Skillman by phone at (609) 921-1020.
