Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers conceal cosmetic blemishes such as dental stains, discoloration, minor structural damage, and spacing issues to completely transform the smile. Porcelain veneers are beautiful, strong, and durable, and they can provide patients with long-lasting results. However, as with all dental prosthetics and restorations, they need to be properly cared for to prolong their lifespan.
Good oral hygiene habits are essential to preserving oral health and preventing dental complications that could require porcelain veneers replacement. Unfortunately, using the wrong toothpaste could actually damage your veneers. Here, Dr. John Goodman discusses how our Kansas City, MO patients can choose the best toothpaste for porcelain veneers so they can care for their teeth without damaging their veneers.
Non-abrasive Is Best
When you are choosing a toothpaste after porcelain veneers treatment, you want to select one that will clean the teeth and eliminate bacteria without causing damage to the porcelain veneers.
To avoid scratching or wearing down the surface of veneers, patients should look for toothpastes with non-abrasive ingredients. Although some toothpastes may have a “non-abrasive” label, it is safest to check the ingredient list. Ingredients like hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are great cleaning agents, but they will be too rough on the ceramics that make up porcelain veneers, so these should be avoided.
Choose Gels Over Pastes
If our Kansas City patients are unsure of the best place to start when choosing a toothpaste for porcelain veneers, gels are the answer. Tooth gels are clear or translucent teeth cleaning products that are naturally less abrasive than toothpastes. Because tooth gels are so gentle on the teeth, there is a common misconception that they do not clean as well. As long as a patient uses proper brushing techniques, a gel can clean just as well as toothpaste, but without being as abrasive on porcelain veneers and tooth enamel.
Avoid Whitening Toothpastes
Whitening toothpastes are a popular choice for brushing because they minimize discoloration. However, whitening toothpastes are not necessary for porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers do not respond to whitening agents the way tooth enamel does. Furthermore, porcelain veneers are resistant to stains, so as long as they are kept clean, they should not discolor the way the natural teeth would.
Finally, whitening toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients that can damage porcelain veneers. Structural damage caused by whitening toothpastes can actually trap food particles and colors, making porcelain veneers lose their luster faster.
Choose the Right Toothbrush
Choosing the right toothpaste for porcelain veneers is a great start, but it is not enough if the wrong toothbrush is being used. A rough toothbrush can be just as damaging as an abrasive toothpaste. Dr. Goodman recommends that our Kansas City patients choose a toothbrush with soft bristles. Patients should also be gentle when brushing to avoid placing excess pressure on veneers and tooth enamel.
Contact Us
At our dental practice, Dr. John Goodman offers a comprehensive range of treatments to preserve oral health and maintain the aesthetics of the smile. If you have questions about porcelain veneers or any of our other dental services, please contact us at your earliest convenience or call us in Kansas City at (816) 842-8585 to schedule an appointment.
