Every year it seems as though cosmetic dental options in Bingham Farms grow a little more popular as an increasing number of patients in the area opt for dental crowns, dental veneers, and dental bridges. While each of these represents excellent opportunities for people to fill the gaps in their smiles and protect damaged teeth, the fact of the matter is that proper care will help patients get the most from their various cosmetic dentistry investments.

While crowns, bridges, and veneers all offer realistic-looking solutions to missing or damaged teeth, they each require slightly different care. Jamestowne South Dental and the team at Perfecting Your Smile would like to offer up the following recommendations for caring properly for these types of cosmetic dentistry options.

Caring for Dental Crowns

Porcelain dental crowns are supposed to last from five to 15 years, but that’s a ten-year difference in the range of outcomes. How does one go about getting those crowns to last closer to 15 years than five?

The best way to help your crowns live a long life is to brush and floss regularly, paying extra attention to the crown itself. Remember, while your crown looks and acts like a real tooth, it’s not a real tooth, and sometimes it can sit slightly below the gum line in ways that teeth do not. When flossing, make sure you’re getting every groove and working around the crown especially well.

Caring for Dental Bridge

Because dental bridges are supported by healthy teeth on either side of the bridge, the biggest threat to durability is tooth decay. When cared for properly, a bridge can last for ten years or even longer, but only when the teeth around it stay healthy. As with crowns, regular brushing is the best thing you can do, not only for your surrounding teeth but for the bridge itself. Patients should also floss above the false tooth/teeth. Just because those teeth are prosthetic doesn’t mean they don’t need to be brushed. Stains can occur, and plaque and tartar anywhere in your mouth are never good news.

Caring for Dental Veneers

At this point, you’re probably catching on, but the best way to care for veneers is to brush and floss regularly. However, bruxism (the grinding of teeth or clenching of the jaw, especially while sleeping) can cause damage, and really hard foods like candy or ice can chip them. Practice good brushing habits and be smart about how you eat, and you can get ten years or more out of your veneers.

Help with Cosmetic Dentistry Care at Perfecting Your Smile

While optimal care is always the goal, sometimes things happen unexpectedly, such as a crown popping off or a veneer chipping. If, despite your best efforts, you find yourself needing a smile tune-up, just give Jamestowne South Dental’s office a call so we can help get everything back into tip-top condition. As with real teeth, things can go wrong with dental implants and other cosmetic options, often beyond our control. When that happens, just remember that Jamestowne South Dental is here to help!