When you first get your veneers, it can be a little bit overwhelming how quickly things change. People who are responding to your newfound confidence might start treating you differently, and you might be smiling more without realizing it.
However, another thing that might change is that you’ll also need to learn how to properly take care of your veneers. For example, you should probably be thinking about which toothpaste to use. To make the whole thing a little less overwhelming, here are the kinds of toothpaste to avoid if you don’t want to mess up your veneers.
What Toothpaste Should I Avoid?
Most veneers are made of porcelain, which responds differently to certain kinds of toothpaste than your natural teeth. In fact, toothpaste that your dentist might recommended for your enamel can actually damage your veneers. Here are two examples:
Whitening Toothpaste
For a while now, dentists have been making use of hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth. This chemical is incredibly adept at removing stains, so much so that many toothpaste companies have begun adding it to their products. Whitening toothpaste has been proven to be effective at peeling stains off of enamel, but they don’t work the same way as porcelain. In fact, hydrogen peroxide can weaken the cement that attaches your veneers to your teeth.
Abrasive Toothpaste
Porcelain is softer than enamel, so toothpaste designed to scrub your natural teeth might scratch up your veneers. That not only weakens them, it also creates a small ridge that can collect bacteria. You should take care to avoid gritty toothpastes that contain baking soda or charcoal. It’s also a good idea to steer clear of stiff-bristled toothbrushes for this reason.
What Toothpaste Should I Use to Clean Veneers?
There are some brands of toothpaste that are designed specifically with veneers in mind, but getting them isn’t really necessary. Any fluoride toothpaste that doesn’t fall into one of the above categories should be just fine for your veneers.
How Do I Care for My Veneers?
Caring for your veneers is a lot like taking care of your natural teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and the proper toothpaste to brush them twice a day. Then, floss them as you would any other tooth. The only other difference would be that you should probably avoid alcohol-based mouthwash, as this can weaken your veneers’ cement.
If you still have concerns about which toothpaste to use, you can always ask your dentist for a recommendation. They took the time to craft your veneers, so they’d be happy to help you keep them in top shape.
About Our Practice
At Rauchberg Dental Group, we know that your dental needs change dramatically in every stage of your life, so we have six dentists on staff to ensure that we can offer you whatever is necessary to perfect your oral health. That flexibility is what separates us from other dental practices, and why there’s nobody better to craft your perfect smile.
If you have any questions about taking care of your veneers, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (973) 718-9887.