How to Take Care of Composite Veneers

Perhaps you've seen the incredible transformation veneers can make on a person's teeth. They can close gaps, improve an uneven smile, even give you whiter teeth. So what are veneers? They're shell-like coverings dentists apply over the tooth. Composite material is the same stuff they use to give you tooth colored fillings, and it typically costs less than other veneer material. However, because they don't resist stains as easily as porcelain (another veneer material), you must know how to take care of composite veneers.

Things You'll Need

• Tooth brush
• Non-abrasive toothpaste
• Floss
• Night guard

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Instructions

• 1

  Avoid hard foods. Composite veneers aren't as delicate as their porcelain counterparts, but under the right form of pressure they can chip and break. Avoid things like jelly and caramel apples, hard candy, and bones.

• 2

  Avoid foods and drinks that stain. Things like coffee, tea, soda, red wine and grape juice can stain composite veneers. Although cigarettes aren't food, they can also do their fair share of staining. If you can't avoid these items altogether, brush and rinse well after you indulge.

• 3

  Use the right type of toothbrush. Either work with a soft bristle or an electric toothbrush.

• 4

  Avoid abrasive toothpaste. Whitening toothpastes and those with baking soda tend to be more abrasive than others. Ask your dentist what he recommends.

• 5

  Floss at least once a day. Having veneers over your teeth doesn't mean that flossing should stop. Plaque can still build up between the teeth.

• 6

  Get twice yearly cleanings from your dentist. Tell any new dentists that you have composite veneers, as certain cleaning methods can scratch or damage them.

• 7

  Wear a night guard. Grinding your teeth at night can cause eventual damage to the veneers. A night guard can help you avoid such problems.