Tips for Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers sit over the front of the teeth to conceal a wide range of cosmetic flaws so patients can enjoy straight, white teeth. After undergoing porcelain veneers treatment, patients understandably want to do their part to make the veneers last and continue to look their best.
Good oral hygiene habits are one of the most important ways to preserve porcelain veneers. But patients need to be sure they are using the right products to care for their teeth. Dr. Stephen J. Malki offers tips to help our Bergen County, NJ, patients choose the best toothpaste for porcelain veneers.
Look for Fluoride
The primary goal of brushing is to clean the teeth and remove harmful bacteria that can lead to tooth decay. After porcelain veneers are placed, some patients may think that they no longer have to worry about issues like dental cavities. While it is true that porcelain veneers aren’t affected by tooth decay, the teeth beneath them are still vulnerable. If the underlying teeth become affected by decay or other dental problems, porcelain veneers will need to be removed so that issues can be addressed.
To minimize the risk of tooth decay, patients should continue to brush and floss regularly. Dr. Malki recommends that patients brush their teeth with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel so that it is more resistant to decay and damage.
Skip the Whitening
After porcelain veneers treatment, many of our Bergen County patients wonder what they can do to keep their veneers looking white and shiny. The best way to preserve the color of porcelain veneers is to keep them clean. While a whitening toothpaste may seem like the best toothpaste to keep veneers white, it is actually a poor choice.
Porcelain veneers are fabricated using ceramic materials that will not respond to the bleaching agents found in whitening toothpastes. So, at best, whitening toothpastes are ineffective on porcelain veneers. At worst, whitening toothpastes can make porcelain veneers more susceptible to discoloration. Whitening toothpastes are more abrasive than other toothpastes and can damage veneers and cause small imperfections that are more susceptible to staining.
Select Gentle Formulas
When choosing a toothpaste for porcelain veneers, patients should look for a product that cleans the teeth and fights cavities without damaging dental prosthetics. To prevent damage, it is important that people choose toothpastes that are gentle on the teeth. We suggest that patients skip toothpastes that have abrasive ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or baking soda. When in doubt, a gel formula is always a good place to start, since these are smoother and softer than paste options.
Don’t Forget the Right Brush
A gentle, cavity-fighting toothpaste should keep porcelain veneers clean without causing damage. However, it is important that the right toothpaste is complemented by the right toothbrush. Soft bristles are the best choice for our Bergen County porcelain veneers patients. Soft-bristled toothbrushes effectively clean dental prosthetics and the teeth without scratching the surface of veneers.
Contact Us
At our dental practice, Dr. Stephen J. Malki offers a comprehensive range of cosmetic dentistry treatments to enhance the appearance of the smile. If you would like to learn more about porcelain veneers or our other cosmetic services, send us a message at your earliest convenience or call (201) 646-0800.