Dental Veneers: 5 Tips To Make Them Last Longer Than 10 Years
Yes, dental veneers can last a decade or more. However, like all things in life, you have to put in the effort to improve their lifespan. Statistically, But how? Today, we will provide you with the best tips to make them last longer than ten years!
1. Do not drink alcohol
Alcoholic drinks have acids. These acids dissolve the bonding materials that hold the veneer to your teeth. Drinking excessively can cause your veneers to degrade, making them unusable. The next thing you know, you will have to go through a veneer replacement process.
Alcohol can also cause bruxism (grinding your teeth too much). Bruxism can make you clench your teeth with 50 times more force than your average biting force, thus causing your veneer to get damaged.
2. Refrain from grinding your teeth
It does not always take alcohol to develop bruxism. This happens a lot after a person goes through any kind of dental procedure.
Why? Because the mouth feels “different.”
Unnecessary grinding wears down teeth. They have so much force that they can also fracture your veneers. Apart from fracture, the veneer could also de-bond. Debonding is a type of damage where the “glue” or bonding material gets loose, causing the veneer to fall.
3. Do not use your teeth as a tool
Although veneers are made of sturdy materials, such as porcelain or resin, they are not in any way as tough as your teeth. To make your veneer last longer than 10 years, do not use your teeth to:
Bite your fingernails
Open things such as bottles, envelopes, or plastic packages
Chew on hard materials like pencils
Bite hard on candies
Hard substances will crack your veneer, and you should not be surprised if you see them fall off if you bite on hard substances.
4. Avoid staining drinks
While alcohol has acids that destroy the binding agent, some drinks are powerful enough to stain your veneer. Although veneer materials are resistant to stains, they are subject to marginal stains from drinks like:
Coffee
Tea
Red wine
Tobacco will also stain your veneer, so cut the habit now or you will have to replace your veneers soon.
5. Hygiene and maintenance
Brush your teeth regularly and clean them well. This is a standard practice that you should never miss. Use floss and take the time to clean your teeth after meals.
Visit your dentist twice a year. You will have to go through prophylaxis or teeth cleaning more than the average person. This visit will also allow your dentist to examine the state of your veneer and do something about it.
Summary: Tips to Make Them Last Longer Than 10 Years
Every year, 13,000 veneer treatments are carried out on adults in England. On average, the lifespan of a dental veneer is ten years. This is the average, but they can last 20 years if you take care of them.
Veneers are not technically permanent. They can fall off, crack, and chip. However, it takes special conditions to make this happen. To make your veneers last, it makes sense to listen to your dentist and follow standard veneer maintenance procedures.
Author Bio
Ashley Stefan runs the blog at VIGOR.icu where she writes about various health-related topics and shares tips on healthy living. Hobbies: swimming, gardening, and binge-watching popular TV shows.