I recently invested in porcelain veneers. I do like them and have gotten many compliments on my smile. I think I even look younger! I want to take super good care of these. Generally, I use a mouthwash, but I don’t want to do anything which could damage them. Is it safe for me to use mouthwash?
Karyn
Dear Karyn,
How great that you love your new smile. Well made porcelain veneers bring a confidence with them that lasts many years. It’s also wonderful that you’re taking the initiative to find out the best way to care for your new smile. Too bad your cosmetic dentist didn’t think to give you this information.
First, I’ll address the mouthwash situation because that was your distinct question. Then, we’ll go into other aspects of caring for your porcelain veneers.
For the most part, mouthwash won’t damage your porcelain veneers, with one exception. If a mouthwash contains alcohol, don’t use it. The acidic nature of the alcohol will eat away at the bonding material causing them to fall off.
You can see from the image directly above that Listerine contains some alcohol, so that is definitely a brand I would not recommend. If you feel mouthwash is an important part of your oral hygiene routine, then just make sure you purchase a brand which is alcohol-free. There are plenty of them on the market.
Caring for Your Porcelain Veneers
1) Brush gently after every meal. It’s a misconception that you need to brush hard. In fact, it’s even best to use a soft bristled brush.
2) Floss at least twice a day.
3) Never use a whitening toothpaste. These contain abrasive agents which will scratch the glazing on your veneers making them more susceptible to staining. Remember, teeth whitening only works on natural tooth structure. If you want to keep your veneers as clean and white as the day you got them, we often recommend Supersmile Toothpaste. It’s specifically formulated for cosmetic dental work.
4) Make sure you see your dentist for regular check-ups and that his or her hygienist is knowledgeable with care for veneers. For instance, if they use anything like a prophy jet during your cleaning it will completely remove the glaze.
Best of luck to you, and keep smiling!
This blog is brought to you by Dr. Bonnie Rothwell. Check out how she guarantees patients a beautiful smile.
