How to Choose the Best Toothpaste for Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers hide a wide range of cosmetic imperfections to improve the overall appearance of the smile. Porcelain veneers can enhance the color, size, and shape of the teeth, and address minor misalignment problems.
With proper care, porcelain veneers can last for 10 years or more. Good oral hygiene habits are vital to preventing dental complications and prolonging the lifespan of veneers.
After porcelain veneers treatment, patients should choose a toothpaste that won’t damage their veneers. Here, we offer our Fountain Valley, CA patients tips on how to choose the best toothpaste for porcelain veneers. Contact Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen to learn more.
Avoid Abrasive Ingredients
Porcelain veneers are made of ceramic materials that are intended to withstand the daily wear and tear that the teeth are exposed to. As strong as these materials are, they will get damaged if they are brushed with harsh, abrasive ingredients. The most important tip when choosing a toothpaste that is appropriate for porcelain veneers is to read labels and avoid any toothpaste that contains especially harsh elements.
Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are two great cleaning agents that are commonly found in toothpastes. Unfortunately, they are also two abrasive ingredients. Either of these could cause small scratches in the surface of porcelain veneers that could prematurely age the veneers and lead to the need for early replacement. To preserve porcelain veneers, it is best to avoid any toothpastes with these ingredients.
Skip Whitening Toothpastes
Other toothpastes for our Fountain Valley patients to avoid are those that are formulated for teeth whitening. First, bleaching agents in tooth whitening toothpastes do not have any effect on porcelain veneers, so there is really no benefit to using them.
Second, most tooth whitening pastes contain hydrogen peroxide or other bleaching agents that can damage porcelain veneers. As scratches and other areas of damage develop, porcelain veneers actually become more prone to discoloration, so tooth whitening toothpastes almost have the opposite effect on porcelain veneers as they do on the natural teeth.
Look for Gentle Formulas
With abrasive and bleaching ingredients out, it may seem like there aren’t many toothpaste options left to choose from. Fortunately, there are many toothpastes that are able to effectively clean the teeth without damaging the delicate surface of porcelain veneers.
Gel toothpastes and any toothpastes that contain key words on the label, like “gentle” or “for sensitive teeth” are a good place for our Fountain Valley patients to start their search. Dr. Mortensen is always happy to make a specific recommendation if patients are having a difficult time finding a toothpaste that works for them.
Choose an Appropriate Toothbrush
Aside from finding a toothpaste that is gentle on porcelain veneers, patients also need to choose the right toothbrush. After porcelain veneers treatment, a brush with soft bristles is best. Medium or hard bristles are more likely to scratch porcelain veneers and cause other types of damage.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are dissatisfied with the health or appearance of your teeth, Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen would be happy to help. At our dental practice, we offer a comprehensive range of dental treatments that can help you achieve your ideal smile. To learn more, contact us at your earliest convenience or call (714) 964-4183 to schedule an appointment.
