Three Bad Habits To Break Before You Spring For Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers can truly transform your smile, but they can be costly. If you're going to go through the expense and hassle of getting veneers, then you want to be sure you don't do anything that's going to compromise or break them. If you have any of these three habits, the time to break them is now – before you have the veneers put in place.
Bad Habit: Biting your nails.
Chewing on your nails isn't good for your natural teeth, either, but it is a habit that's especially likely to lead to chipped veneers. You don't want to have to replace your veneers only a year or two into their use, so take the time to break your nail biting habit now. Some tips that may help include:
- Wearing gloves throughout the day so you can't reach your nails.
- Having a friend or family member remind you to stop whenever they see you biting your nails.
- Getting a manicure so you avoid chewing your nails in fear of ruining their appearance.
Bad Habit: Drinking a lot of coffee or red wine.
The porcelain itself should not stain, but the glue that fixes the veneers to your teeth may become discolored over time if you expose it to a lot of dark-colored liquids like coffee and red wine. Since the veneers themselves are so thin, discoloration of the glue can be seen right through them. There's nothing wrong with the occasional mug of coffee or glass of wine, but if consuming either of these beverages is a daily habit, make the change now. Find a white wine you love, and make it your go-to beverage. Replace coffee with a pale-colored green or herbal tea.
Bad Habit: Grinding your teeth.
Many people grind or clench their teeth without even realizing it. Pay attention when you're sitting throughout the day. Is your mouth braced shut? If you wake up with a sore jaw, you may be clenching or grinding at night. These habits can lead to cracked veneers. Adopt some stress-relief measures like engaging in meditation or yoga, and you'll probably notice you grinding decrease. You can also have your dentist fit you with a mouth guard to prevent grinding at night.
To learn more about how to care for your veneers, speak to your dentist. They're pretty easy to keep in good shape as long as you avoid the bad habits on this list. Contact a clinic like Crest Hill Family Dental for more info.
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