Best Toothpaste for Porcelain Veneers
There are many cosmetic dentistry options out there, but few are as versatile and durable as porcelain veneers. Dr. Clint Newman has used veneers to treat stains, chips, cracks, gaps, and countless other dental problems. Porcelain veneers have helped countless Nashville, TN patients smile with renewed confidence.
On average, porcelain veneers last 10 years or more. If you’re not cleaning your teeth right, it could reduce the lifespan of your veneers. With that in mind, let’s talk about the best toothpaste to use when you have veneers, and what kinds of toothpastes you should not use.
Why Your Toothpaste Makes a Difference
You may expect all toothpastes to be similar. Sure, some taste a little different, and some toothpastes may claim to help control tartar or whiten teeth, but they’re basically the same, right?
Well, it’s more complicated than that.
Some toothpastes have ingredients that can harm your teeth as well as your veneers or crowns. This comes as a major surprise to many people, who could be doing unintentional damage to the their teeth and veneers for years. Over time, certain toothpastes will reduce the lifespan of your porcelain veneers. This is why the toothpaste you use makes a difference.
Why You Should Avoid Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes can brighten your teeth, but they don’t have any ability to bleach porcelain veneers. The dental ceramic won’t stain or get lighter. That said, the hydrogen peroxide in a whitening toothpaste can soften the veneer material slightly. You could be polishing away a little bit of your veneers each time you brush your teeth. It’s not a lot per day, but over a year or so, it can add up.
Why You Should Avoid Toothpastes with Abrasive Ingredients
Abrasive ingredients are common in many toothpastes. This includes baking soda, dehydrated silica gels, calcium carbonate, and hydrated aluminum oxides. These tiny particles are supposed to help polish the teeth, but over time they can act as fine grain sand paper on enamel and dental ceramic. Once again, you could be slowly wearing down your veneers without realizing it.
The Ideal Toothpastes: Non-Abrasive Gels
Given the problems caused by whitening toothpastes and abrasive ingredients, we tell our Nashville porcelain veneer patients to use non-abrasive gel toothpastes. These kinds of toothpastes will not wear down your veneers and will still allow you to get your teeth clean and fresh.
We can recommend a few non-abrasive gel toothpastes to you during the consultation process. Many of these toothpastes are available at stores. These toothpastes are even marketed as cosmetic dentistry toothpastes, or are labeled as ideal for people with veneers and crowns. Make sure to read labels and make informed purchases accordingly.
Why Your Toothbrush Also Makes a Difference
In addition to toothpaste, it’s important that patients also use the right toothbrush. Make sure to clean your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head. The soft bristles avoid damage to the teeth and veneers while cleaning, and the small head allows you to clean the hard-to-reach places in your mouth.
How Often to Brush and Floss
It’s best to brush and floss as you normally would once you have veneers in place. That means brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Ideally, you should brush and floss after every meal to prevent cavities and fight gum disease.
Learn More About Porcelain Veneers
If you live in Nashville and would like more information and insight into great dental care, be sure to contact a skilled cosmetic and restorative dentist. You can schedule a consultation with us by phone at (615) 673-4780.
