Veneers are both artificial and durable, so it’s understandable to assume that toothpaste wouldn’t impact them. Not being subject to things like enamel loss or plaque, you might think they wouldn’t be helped or harmed by Crest, Colgate, or some other brand.
In reality, your toothpaste really can affect them. Before your next trip to the store, here’s what you need to know about choosing the right toothpaste for your veneers.
Toothpaste Type Matters
Your toothpaste can strongly influence the lifespan of your veneers due to its ingredients. Safe, non-toxic ingredients could prolong their functionality, while other toothpastes could cause serious damage.
If you were to brush with the latter type, you could potentially reduce your veneers’ lifespan by several years. However, such would harm your veneers in different ways depending on whether it’s an abrasive or a whitener.
Some Toothpastes Damage Veneers
Abrasive and whitening toothpaste are both harmful to veneers but damage their composition through contrasting methods.
Some toothpaste brands use abrasive agents, like baking soda, to help remove plaque and polish teeth. Unfortunately, those same agents can scratch the surface of veneers, potentially ruining their shine and texture. In that case, your veneers might still be white, but they wouldn’t be as smooth as they should be.
Though whitening toothpaste can’t whiten porcelain veneers, some still use such toothpastes to remove stains from their untreated, surrounding teeth. However, this isn’t a good idea, as the whitening agents can damage veneers’ structure and weaken their durability.
Choosing the Right Toothpaste
When choosing a toothpaste for your veneers, you don’t need to find an exclusive, specialty toothpaste designed for dental restorations. Instead, you just need to find one that’s gentle and effective at cleaning teeth.
As you might expect, toothpastes without whitening agents are best for those with veneers. A positive example would be a non-abrasive gel toothpaste, which is sold at your local supermarket, pharmacy, or drug store.
Your Brush Matters, Too
Alongside your toothpaste, you should also use a soft-bristle toothbrush on your teeth. Furthermore, gentle brushing should take place at least twice a day, usually in the morning and before bed. Flossing, meanwhile, should be done once a day.
When brushing, take your time and use small, circular motions along the surface of every tooth and hold the brush at a slight angle to clean along the gum line.
As you can see, you need to use the right toothpaste, even if your veneers are made of something like porcelain. So, the next time you brush your teeth, make sure you’re using a kind that’ll preserve your gleaming veneers for a long, long time!
About the Author
Dr. Vincenzo Artino is a dentist practicing in Lakewood, CO, having graduated from the University of Colorado’s School of Dental Medicine. He has continually broadened his dental knowledge through hands-on experience and countless hours of continuing education. Consequently, Dr. Artino is well-versed in orthodontics, dental implants, veneers, and other aspects of modern dentistry. He currently practices at Lakewood Complete Dentistry and can be reached at his website or by phone at (303)-238-2800.