Good Teeth: They Don't Have to Be in Your Genes

If you have teeth that are too small, braces will not help you. While braces can be used to expose more of your tooth above your gum line, straighten a tooth that came in crooked or sideways, or close gaps, braces cannot make your teeth larger. If you have discolored, misshapen, or otherwise odd-looking teeth, visiting the dentist for cosmetic dental services, like getting veneers, is probably in your future. If you do get veneers, you need to take care of them properly. 

Start with the Basics

The porcelain surface of a veneer will withstand plaque and other substances that can rot your natural teeth. This does not mean, however, that once you get veneers you no longer have to brush and floss. A veneer typically covers one surface of your teeth, and if you don't care for the other surfaces of your teeth, these surfaces can rot, and your veneer will fail.

Slice Don't Twist

A veneer will stand up to pressure that you put on the cutting surface of the tooth. Thus, you should have no problem biting into an apple or eating corn off of the cob. Even when you eat these foods, however, you need to make sure that you bite straight down without twisting your head from side to side. You should also avoid using your teeth to open things. Even something as simple as using your teeth to open a bag of food can create a twisting pressure, which can break your veneer. 

Avoid Bruxism

In the dental world, grinding and clenching your teeth is known as bruxism. Even if you are only clenching your teeth, clenching your teeth too tight can create enough pressure to break your veneers. The side to side motion of grinding your teeth can create twisting pressure, which, as described above, can cause your veneers to break or chip.

Use Proper Protection for Contact Sports

You should be getting the idea by now that veneers need special care. When playing soccer, football, baseball, or any other sport where you could take a blow to the mouth, you need to make sure that you wear a mouthguard so you don't end up with a broken or chipped veneer. (Even if you don't have veneers, using a mouthguard is a smart choice.)

Veneers are a great way to improve the look of your smile and to protect the front surface of your tooth from tooth decay. To keep your veneers looking pristine, you need to make sure you take proper care of them.