For many cosmetic dentistry issues, porcelain veneers are an ideal solution. These versatile shells of dental ceramic mask imperfections from view and help your smile look its very best. Dr. Sharon Mateja has placed countless porcelain veneers at her Rancho Cucamonga, CA cosmetic dentistry center, and patients have been pleased with the long-lasting results.

To keep your porcelain veneers looking their best, good oral hygiene is essential. That means brushing and flossing regularly, and also using the right kind of toothpaste. Let’s explain why your toothpaste matters.

How the Wrong Toothpaste Affects Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are durable and stain resistant, but that doesn’t mean that they are indestructible. Over time, wear, tear, and force will eventually lead to old porcelain veneers that need to be replaced. Your toothpaste could be causing some unintended damage.

Toothpastes that have the wrong ingredients in them can wind up harming your porcelain veneers, scrubbing them away and softening them as well. If this toothpaste has that effect on your veneers, you can imagine the negative impact on your actual tooth structure.

Types of Toothpastes to Avoid

Patients who get porcelain veneers at our Rancho Cucamonga dental practice are told to avoid these two kinds of toothpastes:

• Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
• Toothpastes with Abrasive Ingredients

Avoiding these kinds of toothpastes can extend the life of your porcelain veneers by years.

How Certain Ingredients Affect Porcelain Veneers

Let’s discuss the problems with the two above kinds of toothpastes when people have porcelain veneers.

• The Problem with Whitening Ingredients - Hydrogen peroxide and other chemicals that are commonly found in teeth whitening toothpastes can soften the porcelain veneer material while you’re brushing your teeth. Over time, that will wear down the veneer.
• The Problem with Abrasive Ingredients - Abrasive materials in toothpastes (which includes common ingredients like baking soda) can also wear away at a porcelain veneer over time. Just picture using very fine grade sandpaper on your teeth/veneers.

The Ideal Toothpaste for People with Porcelain Veneers

A non-abrasive gel toothpaste is the ideal toothpaste for people who have porcelain veneers. These toothpastes contain no gritty materials or harmful chemicals, which means your veneers will be fine.

Look for toothpastes that say they’re for people with veneers and crowns, or that are designed for cosmetic dentistry patients. We can offer some recommendations at our practice if you’re having trouble finding one that’s right for you.

Your Toothbrush Makes a Difference Too

We should also mention that using the wrong toothbrush can have a terrible effect on the health of your smile. If your toothbrush has hard/stiff bristles, this can harm your veneers as well as your teeth and your gumline.

Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head. This will allow you to clean the various surfaces of your teeth (even the hard-to-reach spots) with ease. Soft bristles will do the least amount of unintentional damage when keeping your mouth clean.

How Long Will My Porcelain Veneers Last?

For most patients, porcelain veneers will last for about 10 years, give or take. When your veneers are ready for replacement, just visit our Rancho Cucamonga cosmetic dentistry center. The procedure is straightforward and similar to the initial placement of your previous veneers.

Learn More About Porcelain Veneers

For more information about caring for your porcelain veneers for years to come, be sure to contact a skilled cosmetic and restorative dentist. Dr. Mateja and her team can be reached by phone at (909) 989-5959.