When you get your veneers put on, you’ll be surprised at how good they’ll make you feel. Being able to bring the smile you dreamed up with your dentist into reality is incredibly satisfying.
You probably want to keep your veneers looking good for as long as possible, which is pretty easy to do but requires a little bit of know-how. For one, you need to be aware of certain kinds of toothpaste you ought to avoid. Here’s a guide to the toothpaste you should use on your veneers.
What Toothpaste Should I Avoid Using on My Veneers?
To sufficiently answer the question about which toothpaste to use on veneers, you need to first understand what toothpastes to avoid, and why. Most veneers are made of porcelain, which reacts differently than enamel to certain products. For example:
WHITENING TOOTHPASTE
Whitening toothpaste often makes use of hydrogen peroxide, which is also used by dentists in professional whitening treatments. This chemical is incredibly effective at peeling stains off of your enamel, and toothpaste that utilizes it has been shown to deliver results.
However, porcelain isn’t affected by it in the same way. Hydrogen peroxide may weaken the cement that secures your veneers in place, so whitening toothpaste can potentially be problematic for your veneers. Professional whitening is also ineffective on them for this reason.
ABRASIVE TOOTHPASTE
Gritty toothpaste that contains baking soda or charcoal can be effective at scrubbing stains off of your natural teeth. However, porcelain is softer than enamel, so these ingredients do not work as well on veneers. Instead, these gritty kinds of toothpaste are liable to leave scratches behind, which can reduce the porcelain’s lifespan.
What Toothpaste Should I Use on My Veneers?
Barring the examples listed above, any fluoride toothpaste you would ordinarily use on your teeth should be fine for your veneers as well. If you’re still unsure what toothpaste would work, you can always ask your dentist for a recommendation.
The most important thing with any toothpaste you choose is that you actually use it. Brush with it twice a day to keep your veneers shining for decades to come.
About the Author
Dr. John Bonds became a dentist because he loves being able to help someone in need. He feels privileged to be able to do that for his patients each day, which motivates him to constantly improve on his craft. Dr. Bonds is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where received a dual Ph.D. and DDS degrees.
If you have any questions about taking care of your veneers, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (972) 736-7737.
