If you have one or more cosmetic dental issues, Dr. Virginia Ellis of Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. in Orinda, California, may recommend dental veneers to remedy the problem and make your smile dazzlingly white.
Many patients, though, wonder if there are limitations with veneers when it comes to eating. The good news is you basically treat veneers as you would your other teeth. This means that while you can eat as you normally would, you need to also care for them as you would your natural teeth. In this blog, Dr. Ellis explains more.
The basics of veneers
Dental veneers, or dental porcelain laminates, are very thin, custom-made shells that Dr. Ellis bonds to the outer surfaces of your front teeth. First, Dr. Ellis shaves a thin layer from the targeted teeth, then she places the veneers.
Veneers are largely a cosmetic option, but they can cover minor cracks, hide discoloration, reinforce teeth, fill in gaps, make teeth look bigger or smaller, and a whole lot more.
Dental veneers are manufactured either from porcelain or resin composite, both of which can be shaded to match your surrounding teeth. However, Dr. Ellis usually goes with porcelain, because it:
- Resists stains better
- Is stronger
- Reflects light similarly to natural teeth
Furthermore, veneers are resistant to both acid and decay. Also, veneers are economical and they last about 10 years, after which you can get them replaced.
Taking care of your veneers
Because Dr. Ellis shaves some of the enamel from your teeth to place the veneers, this means the process is irreversible. Once you get veneers, you always need to have veneers on the treated teeth.
But, because veneers are permanently bonded, they look and act like your natural teeth, and you care for them in the same way. You just floss once a day, brush at least twice a day, and see Dr. Ellis twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups.
When it comes to eating, you need to be as careful with your veneers as you would your natural teeth. While you can eat whatever you’d normally eat, you should never use your teeth as tools. This means you shouldn’t open bags or bottles with your chompers, chew your nails, bite on pens, or chew on ice. These actions could crack a veneer, just as they could a tooth.
You should also avoid clenching or grinding your teeth, because this could lead to uneven wear. If you grind your teeth, Dr. Ellis can fit you with a night guard, which slips over your teeth to protect them when you sleep. You may also be able to reduce teeth grinding by learning some stress management techniques.
To learn more about veneers and to see if they might be able to help you, call (925) 272-2698, or book an appointment online with Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. today.