That first look in the mirror after getting veneers and your smile finally looks exactly the way you always wanted is a feeling worth protecting. Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin bonded directly to the front of your teeth. They cover minor imperfections like chipped teeth, teeth discoloration, gaps between teeth, or uneven edges. They are also an investment since dental insurance usually won’t cover the cost entirely. The good news is that dental veneers generally have a survival rate greater than 90% over more than 10 years, but that number depends heavily on how well you care for them at home. 

Read on to learn where to find the best cosmetic dentist in Robbinsville for porcelain veneers and exactly how to care for your dental veneers so they continue to look as good as the day you got them. 

How to Brush and Floss with Dental Veneers

Good brushing habits are the foundation of good dental care whether you have dental veneers or not. But the way you brush matters just as much as how often you brush: 

  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid abrasive toothpaste options like baking soda or charcoal toothpaste, which can scratch or chip the veneer surface. 
  • Use gentle, circular motions when you brush, rather than scrubbing back and forth, and give the gumline extra attention.
  • Floss at least once a day, using dental floss or a water flosser, since the space between your veneers and your gum line collects plaque and tartar just like natural teeth do. 
  • Using an alcohol-free mouthwash in your daily oral hygiene routine helps wash away residual plaque and bacteria without degrading the bonding material that holds your veneers in place. 

Foods and Drinks to Avoid with Dental Veneers

The porcelain used to create dental veneers is stain-resistant, but the adhesive used to bond veneers to teeth is not. Limiting stain-causing foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and berries, and rinsing with water immediately after consuming them, goes a long way toward keeping that bond clean and clear. 

Beyond dental staining, some drinks physically weaken the bond over time. Alcohol can soften the bonding composite that holds the veneer to your tooth, which causes it to deteriorate faster, so drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is worth cutting back on once you have veneers. Additionally, hard or sticky foods, like ice, caramel, or hard candy, can crack or chip veneers or loosen the dental bonding that keeps them in place. 

How to Protect Dental Veneers from Tooth Grinding or Jaw Clenching

One of the most common and most overlooked threats to dental veneers happens while you sleep: Bruxism, the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth during sleep, puts significant stress on dental veneers. A custom nightguard from the best dentist in Robbinsville can protect both your veneers and your natural teeth from that nightly pressure. 

Many people who grind their teeth have no idea they do it until a partner mentions the noise or a dentist spots the uneven wear on tooth enamel. However, if you wake up with a sore jaw or headaches near your temples, it’s a sign that you could be grinding your teeth in your sleep. 

How to Avoid Tooth Staining with Dental Veneers

Porcelain and composite resin do not respond to the bleaching agents in whitening toothpastes, strips, or trays the way natural enamel does. So the shade your veneers were made at is the shade they will stay, which is why stain prevention from day one matters more than any whitening treatment later. 

At-home teeth whitening products can damage the bonding material used to attach veneers to teeth, so it is important to check with the best dentist in Robbinsville before using any whitening product once veneers are in place. Generally, professional teeth whitening is a much safer route. 

Why Regular Dental Checkups Are Essential After Getting Dental Veneers

Brushing, flossing, and watching what you eat will carry you a long way, but there are things only a dentist can catch. Visiting your dentist every six months helps protect both your teeth and your veneers by catching potential problems early, and professional tools are used at those visits to polish veneers and restore their shine in ways that home brushing simply cannot replicate. 

Additionally, the bonding material that holds veneers in place can develop microscopic cracks or begin to lift slightly at the edges over time. You may not feel anything different, but a dentist checking the margins of each veneer can spot that kind of wear before it becomes a repair or a replacement. 

Where to Find the Best Dentist in Robbinsville for Dental Veneers 

Caring for veneers does not require a complicated routine or a shelf full of specialty products. It does, however, require consistency and regular care from a knowledgeable cosmetic dentist who specializes in dental veneer aftercare. 

At Mercer Smiles, our highly-skilled cosmetic dentists can help you keep your veneers looking as beautiful as the day you got them with regular dental cleanings and veneer maintenance. And with state-of-the-art clinics in Robbinsville, Hillsborough, and East Brunswick, we’re trusted by families across Central Jersey and beyond. 

Ready to protect your smile makeover with precision dental care from the best cosmetic dentists in Robbinsville?