After you achieve an amazing smile with help from cosmetic dentistry, you probably don’t want your results to go away anytime soon. Fortunately, with the right habits, you can expect your cosmetic dentistry results for many years to come. It’s just a matter of maintaining those habits long-term.
If you’re ready to enjoy your gorgeous new smile for as long as possible, explore the different habits to help your cosmetic dentistry results last.
Brush and Floss Regularly
One of the easiest habits to ensure your results last is by doing what you should already do – brush and floss your teeth regularly! It’s essential to brush every morning and night and floss at least once per day (preferably at night). Brushing your teeth is necessary in order to remove the plaque and bacteria from your teeth. Otherwise, the plaque can accumulate and harden into tartar which can transpire into cavities or gum disease. Flossing is also necessary to remove debris, plaque, and bacteria from between the teeth and underneath the gum line. Keeping your teeth as healthy as possible is important to prevent certain cosmetic treatments from failing.
Not only does brushing and flossing keep your mouth healthy, but it will prevent staining. If you recently whitened your teeth, you wouldn’t want them to lose their new hue. Brushing and flossing will help prevent that.
Avoid Foods and Drinks that Stain
On the subject of staining, one habit to help keep your cosmetic dentistry results looking dazzling is by avoiding certain foods and drinks that stain your teeth. Unless you have a mouth filled with dental crowns or porcelain veneers, your teeth can lose their white hue with too much of certain foods and drinks. We recommend drinking coffee, tea, and red wine with caution and through a straw if possible. This will limit your teeth’s exposure to staining.
Foods you should also eat in moderation include chocolate, berries, and tomato sauces. If you do decide to indulge in these foods and drinks that stain, try to rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth as soon as possible afterward. A teeth whitening touchup can always bring your teeth back to a dazzling white if you do overindulge though.
Never Skip a Dental Cleaning
When you visit us for a regular dental cleaning, we remove tartar, plaque, and surface stains from your teeth. We also look for any potential problems with your teeth or treatments you’ve had. This means if your veneers are coming loose, we can fix them before the problem grows worse. Regular cleanings help you maintain good oral health and helps your dentist identify problems in their earliest stages. The sooner we identify and treat a problem, the less damage can occur.
Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
Another habit that will help preserve your cosmetic dentistry results is by using your teeth as they’re intended – for chewing food. When you use your teeth as tools like to open a package, you can severely damage your teeth and your cosmetic dentistry results. Only use your teeth to chew and never as a tool, even to bite your nails. Otherwise, you might do some damage that can’t be undone.
Wear a Night Guard or Mouth Guard
The last habit that will help you maintain your cosmetic dentistry results is wearing a night guard or mouth guard when necessary. For instance, if you clench or grind your teeth, you should wear a night guard to protect your teeth from damage. If you don’t wear it and you have porcelain veneers, you can crack or break the veneers from clenching and grinding. In addition, if you play any type of contact sport, you should wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth from getting knocked out or dislodged. Making a habit of these simple tasks will help you maintain your cosmetic dentistry results and your natural teeth for years to come.
If you’re overdue for a dental cleaning or need assistance from our cosmetic dentist in Butler, PA, please contact Advanced Dentistry of Butler to schedule an appointment today. Give us a call at (724) 282-4436 to get started.
