Congratulations on your new porcelain veneers! This cosmetic dentistry treatment will transform your smile and give you an all-new sense of confidence. You’ve invested time and money into this procedure to restore teeth, so taking good care of your smile is essential.
As with any dental procedure, veneers require proper care to avoid complications. One concern you might have is how to prevent teeth grinding after veneers, as the condition can damage your new veneers, reducing their longevity and affecting your oral health.
Fortunately, there are various tips and techniques you can use to prevent teeth grinding after you restore teeth with dental veneers, and our team of dental professionals at Boutique Dental Care is here to guide you through some useful ways to protect your veneers and maintain optimal oral health.
This blog will explore the reasons behind bruxism and provide tips and techniques to avoid teeth grinding following veneers treatment.
Understand why you grind your teeth
Grinding of teeth, also known as bruxism, can be a subconscious habit frequently linked to stress and anxiety. Before you can effectively prevent teeth grinding after veneers, you need to understand why you grind your teeth. Reducing stress and anxiety can go a long way in mitigating bruxism.
You could also have misaligned teeth or a bad bite which can cause an uneven distribution of force when chewing, biting and talking. This can cause stress on the jaw joint and the surrounding muscles, leading to teeth grinding.
Whatever the reason, teeth grinding can harm your veneers by causing flattening of their surfaces, chipping or cracking, and even completely detaching from the teeth.
How to Extend The Life of Dental Veneers
Many dentists, including the highly experienced ones at Boutique Dental Care, recommend the following to prevent teeth grinding after veneers, protect the tooth structure of your own teeth and prolong the life of your newly fitted tooth veneers.
Misaligned natural teeth, or bite issues, can cause excessive pressure on teeth, leading to grinding or clenching. At Boutique Dental Care, we can diagnose and correct alignment issues, such as malocclusion, before placing veneers on your natural teeth, ensuring a healthy, long-lasting smile. However, while it’s essential to correct any alignment issues before getting veneers to avoid damage, it is not the only solution.
Wear a Mouth Guard
One of the easiest solutions to teeth grinding is to wear a night guard. Also called a mouth guard, this custom-made oral appliance fits over your teeth and protects them from grinding and clenching. At Boutique Dental Care, we can create a customised nightguard that will fit your mouth perfectly and provide the best protection for your veneers. This way, you can protect your new smile while you sleep!
Reduce Stress
As stress can be a significant contributor to teeth grinding, it is essential to reduce stress levels to prevent grinding. You can do numerous activities to reduce stress, such as meditating, exercising, or even taking a relaxing bath. Incorporating these and other relaxation techniques into your daily routine can help reduce stress and prevent teeth grinding.
Avoid Hard and Chewy Foods
Avoid Hard and Chewy FoodsHard and chewy foods can cause strain on your jaw, which can lead to grinding or clenching.
To prevent teeth grinding after veneers, avoiding eating any hard or chewy foods is essential. Instead, opt for softer options such as steamed vegetables, tender meats, or cooked fruits.
This way, you can still enjoy delicious cuisine without risking any damage to your veneers.
Lifestyle changes
Changing your lifestyle habits can also help. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and smoking can all reduce your stress levels and, in turn, prevent teeth grinding. Additionally, regular exercise, eating healthy, and maintaining optimal oral hygiene can help maintain your oral health by reducing stress and anxiety.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Regular dental visits are crucial for maintaining good oral health and preventing problems. At Boutique Dental Care, we recommend visiting our conveniently located clinic at least twice a year to monitor the condition of your tooth veneers and any other dental issues. This will allow us to identify potential problems and advise preventive measures to prevent teeth grinding and other complications.
Why choose Boutique Dental Care for Superior Dental Work?
For superior treatments that can increase the life of dental veneers, look no further than Boutique Dental Care. Our patient-centred approach ensures that we go above and beyond to provide reliable, bespoke dental care.
Before any veneer treatment, we address any underlying malocclusion or bite issues to ensure optimal results. This extra step not only improves the appearance of your smile but also prevents future problems that could shorten the life of your veneers. We also provide customised mouth guards to protect your veneers and prevent damage from teeth grinding or clenching. In addition, we offer muscle relaxants to paralyse the jaw muscles used during teeth grinding, which can further extend the life of your veneers.
For a holistic approach to dental care, we recommend relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation to help reduce stress and prevent teeth grinding. If necessary, we can refer you to a cognitive behavioural therapist to address any underlying issues contributing to teeth grinding or other dental problems.
At Boutique Dental Care Chatswood, we are committed to providing superior dental care to improve your oral health and extend the life of your high-strength porcelain veneers. Whether you have veneers on your two front teeth or along your entire smile, trust our 5* rated cosmetic dentist to provide comfortable, long-lasting mouthguards and reliable advice to help extend the life of your dental veneers.
Book an appointment or call us on (02) 9054 5281 today!
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Resources
Bruxism (teeth grinding) – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356100
Night Guard For Veneers
https://www.proteethguard.com/blog/night-guard-for-veneers/