How to Take Care of Your Dental Restorations

If you take proper care of your dental restorations, your smile will look fantastic for years or even decades. The appropriate care will also ensure your dental restorations remain functional. Though most dental restorations will eventually require some upkeep at the dentist's office, you can do plenty on your own to keep your dental restorations in tip-top shape.

Regular professional cleanings are essential to maintaining dental restorations

It is crucial to visit a dentist every six months to ensure that the teeth and any dental restorations are in a healthy condition. Our team has access to specialized cleaning tools that can help keep dental restorations in functioning and beautiful condition. Dental hygienists have access to a specialized polishing paste that keeps porcelain dental solutions like veneers and crowns in optimal condition.

Furthermore, these dental hygienists will perform a thorough cleaning of the patient's mouth. As professionals, we know exactly how to clean dental restorations without inflicting any sort of damage or discomfort to the patient.

Select your toothpaste with care

Certain toothpaste and fluoride treatments pose a threat to dental restorations. The dentist will likely use a neutral fluoride so it does not reduce the bonding ability of dental restorations. Fluoride products with acid also have the potential to alter the color of dental restorations. Certain toothpaste is especially abrasive to porcelain crowns and veneers.

Speak to a dentist about the best toothpaste for dental restorations. He or she will recommend one or several kinds of toothpaste that are gentle and perfectly safe for dental restorations of all types.

Consider limiting your alcohol consumption

People who consume an excessive amount of alcohol can reduce the strength of the bonding to keep the porcelain veneer or other dental restoration to the tooth structure. Certain mouthwashes also contain alcohol so take a close look at the ingredients before making a purchase.

Do not bite hard or sharp objects

People can eat just about anything after dental restorations have enough time to settle into place in the mouth. However, biting on hard or sharp objects like ice, pens or fingernails will likely prove problematic. Those who have a tendency to grind their teeth should use a night guard.

This guard will protect against damage to dental restorations resulting from the grinding process. A mouth guard will also help prevent damage to dental restorations as well as perfectly healthy teeth when participating in sports.

A thorough flossing is essential to maintaining dental restorations

If the dentist adds a dental restoration like a fixed bridge to your mouth, do not assume you do not have to clean it. This restoration requires a thorough brushing as well as regular flossing.

If you fail to floss artificial teeth or other dental restorations, plaque will accumulate and eventually cause decay. The use of a bridge threader will certainly help you thread the floss below artificial teeth to eliminate plaque and trapped food particles.

For more information call Northside Dental Care, PC at (978) 206-7077.