4 Things That Can Negatively Affect Your Veneers

If you have dental veneers, you may be enjoying the way that this cosmetic dental application is able to transform the appearance of your teeth. Dental veneers can be used to cover unsightly chips, discoloration and dental gapping. Nevertheless, your dental veneers can be damaged if proper precautions are not taken. Here are a few things that can negatively impact dental veneers:

Bruxism

Bruxism is a condition in which you grind your teeth regularly and unintentionally. It often occurs at night without your knowledge. The grinding applies great amounts of pressure to the teeth. Since dental veneers are affixed to the front surface of the teeth, bruxism can apply the same pressure to these tooth coverings.

Dental veneers are often made of porcelain, which can crack or chip from too much pressure. If a dental veneer does become chipped or cracked, it can be replaced, but the damage from bruxism can be avoided by wearing a mouth guard at night.

Biting on Items That are Not Food

If you regularly bite on items that are not food in response to stressful situations, you should find stress-relieving alternatives, such as deep breathing or physical exercise. Biting on pencils or even fingernails can cause dental veneers to chip or crack. Inedible items are often much harder than food, and the veneers are not designed to withstand the amount of bite pressure that may be exerted on such items.

In addition to items that are not edible, biting on other hard substances, such as hard candy and ice, should also be avoided.

Eating and Drinking Heavily Pigmented Foods or Beverages

Dental veneers can greatly improve the whiteness of the teeth because the veneers conceal any underlying dental staining. Still, the veneers can also become discolored over time.

It is important to maintain the whiteness of your dental veneers by not consuming large amounts of deeply pigmented foods and drinks, such as berries and coffee. These items can still be absorbed by the veneers.

Not Caring for Your Gums Properly

When dental veneers are applied, they rest at the gum line. However, if you do not care for your gums properly by keeping your mouth free of plaque and tartar, gum disease can result.

The recession of the gums that is caused by gum disease can make your veneers look unsightly. The portion of your natural teeth that was covered by the gums can be exposed once they recede. Thus, it can be easy to see the differentiation between your natural teeth and the veneers. To remedy the situation, new veneers that conceal the additional portion of natural tooth would need to be applied. However, avoiding gum disease is the best preventive option.

To learn more about dental veneers and how to care for them properly, schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist like those at Associated Dental Center, LLC.