Thanks to porcelain veneers, the team at Astoria Dental Group can give you the smile you’ve always wanted. Dr. Clifford Degel and Dr. Carmen Every-Degel can treat chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and other flaws that negatively affect your smile. A few porcelain veneers means an instant smile makeover.
With that in mind, porcelain veneers are strong but not indestructible. If you use the wrong toothpaste, you could be shortening the lifespan of these cosmetic shells. Our Queens, NY practice would like to consider the right and wrong toothpastes to use after you get porcelain veneers.
How Your Toothpaste Affects Porcelain Veneer Material
The ingredients of toothpaste can have an impact on the material that your porcelain veneers are made of. The same goes for tooth-colored dental crowns. While the ceramics that are used are quite durable, they are still able to be worn down or adversely affected by certain ingredients in toothpastes.
This is why the right kind of toothpaste matters if you want to have veneers that last as long as possible.
The Wrong Type of Toothpastes for Porcelain Veneers
There are two kinds of toothpaste that people with porcelain veneers and crowns should avoid:
- Teeth Whitening Toothpastes – Teeth whitening toothpastes contain ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, which can soften veneer material while you’re brushing your teeth. Since the veneers can’t be bleached, this is causing unnecessary wear and tear.
- Toothpastes with Abrasive Ingredients – Abrasive ingredients are common in many toothpastes, and include baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, and hydrated aluminum oxides. These ingredients act like fine grain sandpaper that wear away at your teeth and your veneers.
The Ideal Kind of Toothpaste for Porcelain Veneers
We tell our Queens porcelain veneer patients to use non-abrasive gel toothpastes when they brush their teeth. These toothpastes contain no abrasive or harmful ingredients, meaning that the veneers and crowns won’t wear away faster than intended.
Many non-abrasive gel toothpastes are marketed as cosmetic dentistry toothpastes, and note that they are safe for people with crowns and veneers. Be sure to look for ingredients on labels, or ask a member of our team for recommendations.
Your Toothbrush Can Also Make an Oral Hygiene Difference
We should also point out that your toothbrush can have a negative impact on your porcelain veneers. If you use a toothbrush with hard bristles, these can wear away veneer material and cause serious damage. Stiff bristles can also harm your gumline, making gum recession and bleeding gums more likely.
The ideal kind of toothbrush to use is one with soft bristles and a small head. This will allow you to gently clean your teeth and veneers while also reaching all of the hard-to-reach parts of the mouth.
How Often to Brush and Floss with Porcelain Veneers
As usual, it’s best to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss at least once a night. Ideally, you’ll want to brush and floss after every meal.
How Long Will Porcelain Veneers Last?
On average, porcelain veneers will last around 10 years, give or take. When you need new veneers, just come by our Queens dental practice. We’ll be able to remove the old veneers, take impressions, and help you revitalize your smile again.
Learn More About Porcelain Veneers
If you would like more information about porcelain veneers and how they can benefit you, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentists. You can reach Astoria Dental Group by phone at (718) 215-0510.
