Don't Neglect the Teeth Under Your Veneers! Follow These Essential Cleaning Tips (2024)

December 15, 2023

Getting dental veneers can dramatically improve the look of your smile. But you must adapt your regular oral hygiene routine to keep teeth clean beneath veneers and prevent damage. Certain practices are required to maintain the integrity of veneers and the natural teeth they cover. Here are some tips for optimal teeth cleaning under veneers.

How Do Veneers Impact Oral Hygiene Practices?

Veneers are thin porcelain covers bonded over front teeth, so they don’t get inserted like crowns. They protect the underlying tooth structure. But it would help if you still cleaned the teeth under veneers effectively to prevent decay, gum disease, staining, and bad breath. It requires a gentle approach to avoid dislodging the veneers.

Is Brushing Under Veneers Different from Natural Teeth?

Yes, you must make some modifications to your usual brushing method:

  • Employ a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid scraping the veneer edges
  • Brush at a 45-degree angle aimed towards the gumline
  • Avoid vigorous back-and-forth scrubbing motions
  • Focus on the gum line, using gentle massage motions
  • Use a light touch and short strokes under the veneered teeth
  • Take care brushing near veneer edges. Do not lift them up
  • Check for and remove any trapped debris under veneers

What Type of Toothbrush and Toothpaste Should I Use?

Choose a soft manual toothbrush or an oscillating electric model. Hard bristles could scratch veneers over time. Use a mild or whitening toothpaste approved by your dentist in Huntington Beach. Avoid highly abrasive formulas. Fluoride toothpaste will help strengthen veneers and underlying enamel.

Should I Use Mouthwash or Other Oral Rinses?

Using an ADA-approved antibacterial mouthwash can enhance your veneer cleaning regimen. Select a non-alcohol formula if possible. Water irrigators like Waterpiks are also safe and beneficial for veneers when used properly at low pressure. It flushes out plaque. But rinses don’t replace brushing and flossing.

How Often Should I Visit the Dentist for Veneer Checkups?

It would help if you visited your dentist near you every six months for professional cleaning and monitoring of your dental veneers in Huntington Beach, CA. The dentist will carefully examine for issues like staining, gum recession, damage, or loosening of the veneers. They can remove built-up plaque from under veneers and may polish them to refresh the sheen.

Tips for Maintaining Veneer Brightness and Integrity

  • Avoid staining foods and drinks like coffee, tea, wine, berries, tomato sauce, and dark sodas
  • Don’t chew hard foods like ice or nuts, which could crack veneers
  • Stop habits like biting nails and chewing on pens
  • Protect veneers from grinding or clenching by wearing a nightguard
  • See your dentist quickly if a veneer feels loose or damaged

Your beautiful, veneered smile can stay flawless for years with the proper care. Consult your local dentist, like Seascape Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry in Huntington Beach, CA, to ensure you know how to care for your new veneers properly. Proper brushing techniques and routine dental visits are key.

Don't Neglect the Teeth Under Your Veneers! Follow These Essential Cleaning Tips (2024)

FAQs

How do you clean teeth under veneers? ›

Dental veneers are held in place using special bonding cement. After they are cemented, you will continue brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle fluoride toothpaste. Flossing is important for cleaning between your teeth and underneath the gum line where the toothbrush Can't reach.

What is dental negligence of veneers? ›

You may have been a victim of clinical negligence if any of the following applies to you:
  • Overtly sensitive teeth - veneers usually involve removing enamel from the tooth. ...
  • Damaged teeth - dentin, one of the four major components of any tooth can become damaged during the enamel removal process.

How do hygienists clean veneers? ›

Ask your hygienist to only use fine or ultra-fine polishing pastes, preferably with an aluminum oxide grit–no pumice. If you hygienist suggests a fluoride treatment, make sure she uses a neutral fluoride gel, rather than an acidulated fluoride that will etch the surface and remove the glaze.

How to clean veneers at home naturally? ›

How to Clean Porcelain Veneers
  1. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to brush your veneers. ...
  2. Use a non-abrasive toothpaste. ...
  3. Use gentle motions when brushing and flossing. ...
  4. Use an alcohol-free mouthwash every time you brush.

What happens to your real teeth under veneers? ›

Since a dentist only has to remove a small amount of enamel, nerves and roots are never touched. With the veneers in place, the person's natural teeth remain intact. The natural teeth simply serve as the foundation for the new veneers.

Does baking soda work on veneers? ›

Avoid using a toothpaste containing chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda. These substances will chip away at the base of your veneers because they have an abrasive texture that might cause your veneers to lose their color and shine.

Does anyone regret veneers? ›

Most people do not have any regrets about moving forward with veneers.

What happens if you hate your veneers? ›

Unfortunately, if your dentist has permanently bonded them on, then there isn't much you can do except get all new porcelain veneers. Preferably from a different, more skilled, dentist. If they're really bad, you can go to another cosmetic dentist and get a second opinion.

Why do my veneers hurt years later? ›

When it comes to Dental Veneers, there can be a number of causes of major pain. These include infection, allergies, improper installation or placement, and nerve damage. In some cases, the pain could also stem from an underlying dental issue that was not addressed during the Dental Veneer process.

Is hydrogen peroxide safe for veneers? ›

Short-term use of hydrogen peroxide will not ruin porcelain veneers but don't overdo it. However, it can irritate the gum tissue around the veneers and irritate.

How long do veneers last? ›

The lifespan of dental veneers depends on whether you have porcelain or composite veneers, and how well you care for them. Porcelain laminate veneers can last from 10 to 12 years. Composite resin veneers need to be replaced sooner, since they last for around 4 to 8 years.

How do you brush your real teeth with veneers? ›

Gentle Brushing Technique: Brush gently along the gumline where your veneers meet your natural teeth. This prevents gum recession and avoids exposing the edges of the veneers.

How do you stop veneers from smelling? ›

Clean Your Veneers Properly

Veneers require special care, be sure to clean them properly with a non-abrasive toothpaste and brush or interdental brush.

Why is my tooth turning black under veneer? ›

If it becomes darker at the gumline, it is because of leakage under the porcelain. The bond has deteriorated, and bacteria and decay are getting between the tooth and the veneer. So you really need to have this veneer replaced. And you need to do it before the decay becomes serious.

Why are my veneers turning yellow? ›

Certain foods, beverages, and habits can stain your veneers over time. These include coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco products, and excessive alcohol consumption. Moderation is key!

Can plaque build up under veneers? ›

It's true that, under veneers, the fronts of your teeth aren't as exposed to sugars, acids, bacteria and other things that can cause damage to your enamel, but the rest of the tooth remains as exposed as normal. On top of that, plaque can still grow on veneers, so you have to maintain the surrounding gums too.

Do teeth get yellow under veneers? ›

Your real teeth aren't protected entirely from tooth decay, so consuming large amounts of soda and fizzy drinks can cause your teeth to turn yellow, which may become visible through your veneers.

How do you know if teeth under veneers are decaying? ›

If you think that your teeth under veneers might be rotting, it's important to call your dentist right away. There are a few signs that you should look out for, including: loose teeth, sensitive teeth, sore gums, and infections. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, your dentist will need to take a look.

How do you whiten teeth under veneers? ›

3 Ways You Can Whiten Porcelain Veneers
  1. Brush with Non-Abrasive Polishing Toothpaste. ...
  2. Try a Tooth-Whitening System on the Backs of Your Teeth. ...
  3. Make an Appointment with Your Dentist.
Nov 9, 2022

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