Selecting the Best Toothpaste for Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers dramatically improve the appearance of the smile by concealing imperfections such as dental stains, discoloration, minor alignment problems, and superficial structural damage. Porcelain veneers are attractive and durable. If veneers are cared for properly, they can last upwards of 10 years or more.
Oral hygiene is especially important to the long-term success of porcelain veneers. Unfortunately, some toothpastes can be more damaging than helpful, so it is important that our Birmingham, AL, patients select the best toothpaste for porcelain veneers.
Here, Dr. Burton Gooch answers questions that commonly come up when a patient is shopping for a suitable toothpaste after porcelain veneers treatment.
Do I Need a Toothpaste Formulated for Veneers?
There are some toothpastes that are labeled as being formulated specifically for the care of porcelain veneers or other dental restorations. These toothpastes are effective, but they tend to cost significantly more than other over-the-counter toothpastes.
In most cases, patients do not require a toothpaste that is specially formulated for dental restorations. As long as patients are careful about the toothpaste they choose, they should be able to find a suitable product alongside other mainstream toothpastes.
Is Whitening Toothpaste a Good Choice?
Many of our Birmingham patients are worried about keeping porcelain veneers bright and white, so they wonder if whitening toothpaste is a good choice. Although it seems like whitening toothpastes would be beneficial for veneers, they can actually have the opposite effect.
Porcelain veneers are naturally resistant to stains, and they do not respond to the bleaching agents in whitening toothpastes. In fact, many ingredients in whitening toothpastes are abrasive and can be too harsh on porcelain veneers. With repeated used, whitening toothpastes can create areas of damage on the surface of porcelain veneers, which can actually trap pigmentation and cause veneers to look discolored.
Will Fluoride Damage My Porcelain Veneers?
Since patients are told to be cautious about the ingredients that are used on porcelain veneers, they often ask if fluoride is a safe choice. Toothpastes that contain fluoride are not only safe, they are a great option for porcelain veneers patients.
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. Since tooth decay is one of the most common reasons that porcelain veneers need to be removed, fluoride can be beneficial in prolonging the lifespan of porcelain veneers.
What Should I Look For in a Toothpaste?
After porcelain veneers treatment, it is important that our Birmingham patients choose a toothpaste that will clean the teeth and gums without damaging veneers. Fortunately, finding the right toothpaste shouldn’t be very difficult. These tips can be helpful in making the right choice:
- Avoid toothpastes with abrasive ingredients like baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
- Look for gel formulas rather than paste
- Choose a cavity-fighting toothpaste
- Stay away from whitening toothpastes
Send Us a Message
If you would like more information about porcelain veneers treatment, Dr. Burton Gooch would be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can send a message to our dental practice or call (205) 545-8001 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gooch.