4 Things to Know About Caring For Your Dental Veneers

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Cosmetic dental problems can leave some people feeling self-conscious about their appearance and the way they smile. There are many ways that you can correct cosmetic issues, including dental veneers.

This permanent solution to cosmetic dental problems can restore your smile. Your dentist in Grand Island, NE can help. At Gentle Dental Care, we provide dental veneers to people who want to improve the appearance of their teeth. Here’s what to know.

What Are Dental Veneers?

A dental veneer is a thin cover that’s placed over the front of your tooth to hide cosmetic imperfections. To install a dental veneer, your dentist must shave down the front of your tooth to make room for the veneer. Veneers can hide problems like cracks in tooth enamel, chips, gaps between teeth, and stains. Dental veneers can give your teeth a very even, consistent appearance, and can cover up a range of cosmetic defects.

How Do You Maintain Dental Veneers?

Maintaining dental veneers is easy.

  1. Clean dental veneers every day. Brush your dental veneers at the same time as your other teeth. Brush them twice daily.
  2. Use non-abrasive toothpaste to clean dental veneers. Abrasive toothpaste can scratch dental veneers. Scratches on dental veneers can lead to stains. Use gentle, non-abrasive toothpaste to clean your dental veneers. Avoid toothpastes that say they whiten or brighten teeth.
  3. Avoid chewing on anything that isn’t food. Avoid chewing anything that isn’t food, such as ice, pen caps, pencils, and so on. Don’t chew your fingernails if you have dental veneers!
  4. Visit your dentist regularly. Visit your dentist twice annually to have your teeth examined. Your dentist will examine your veneers at the same time, and will let you know if your veneers need repair or replacement.
  5. Don’t get your teeth whitened. Dental veneers can’t be made whiter with tooth whitening. If you get your teeth whitened, your teeth will no longer match your dental veneers.

How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?

How long your dental veneers will last depends on how well you take care of them and what they’re made of. Many dental veneers can last 10 to 15 years before they need replacement. If you want dental veneers in Grand Island, NE, contact Gentle Dental Care to get started.

What to do if a Crown Falls Off

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Ideally, crowns are meant to be a permanent solution, but occasionally, dental crowns do come off. If you find yourself in a situation where your dental crown has fallen off, your next steps are very important. Taking care and following dentist instructions will save you from worry and stress.

Save the Crown

First, don’t panic. Losing a crown doesn’t mean you’ll lose the tooth. Remember, the crown is simply a kind of prosthetic, and it can likely be put back in place by your dentist. If you happen to be eating at the time and bite down on the crown that’s come off, immediately take action to save the crown. This may mean spitting out the food in your mouth into a napkin. Whatever you do, don’t swallow, as you could accidentally swallow the crown along with the food.

Clean the Crown

Place the crown in a clean glass of water, either distilled or at least purified. Even better, place it in water inside a jar, where you can close the lid to avoid having it spill.

Inspect the Damage

Next, see if you can view the tooth. Crowns are often in the back of the mouth, so you or your family member may need to use a flashlight to see if there’s bleeding. If there is, pack the tooth with some first aid gauze. Don’t use cotton, as this will leave cotton fiber in the cavity, which will complicate the restoration.

If you have associated pain, consider taking an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Only do this if your primary care physician has approved you for over-the-counter meds. Avoid aspirin, as this thins the blood and may increase bleeding.

Contact Your Dentist

Contact your dentist as soon as possible and let them know what happened. Chances are, your dentist in Grand Island, NE, will make room in their appointment book to have you come in the same day. If it’s not deemed to be an emergency, ask what you should do while you await your appointment date.

Having a crown fall off can be shocking, but it doesn’t mean your natural tooth is going to come out next. A dental crown in Grand Island, NE, can be put back in place in most cases. Contact us today to learn more.