Can You Floss With Veneers?

Veneers have gained widespread popularity as a cosmetic dental solution. They can help solve dental issues such as staining, discoloration, tooth gaps, chips, cracks, and more. Still, despite their apparent status as a cure-all, getting dental veneers does not mean that you can forgo properly cleaning your teeth. In fact, many patients have the question, “Can you floss with veneers?” Read our article to learn the answer to this question, as well as other dental veneer care tips.

Flossing with dental veneers is not only possible but also essential for your oral health. Flossing helps remove food debris and plaque that may be impossible to reach with a toothbrush from between the teeth. Cleaning between the teeth prevents plaque from turning into tartar and reduces bacterial growth in the mouth. Regular cleaning is essential because plaque, tartar, and bacteria lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Additionally, such oral health issues can be detrimental to the integrity of dental veneers, as they might have to be removed to treat the teeth.

Some patients might find it challenging to floss with dental veneers because they are afraid of damaging them. Below, we share tips that can help you floss with dental veneers more confidently and effectively:

Prevent your veneers from dislodging by being gentle when flossing. Move the flossing thread carefully between the teeth without pushing too hard into the gums or snapping it against the teeth with dental veneers.
Choose a waxed floss.
Try a floss threader to streamline the flossing process.
Consider adding a water flosser to your daily routine. A water flosser can not replace flossing with a dental thread, but it can be highly effective as the first step in your routine by loosening the plaque and debris on and between the teeth. As a result, subsequent flossing and brushing are more effective.

Dental Care Routine with Veneers

Apart from flossing, dental care routine with veneers should include thorough and effective brushing:

Choose fluoride toothpaste, as this ingredient helps remineralize the enamel and fight off bacteria in the mouth.
Avoid abrasive toothpaste, such as toothpaste containing soda or charcoal, and whitening toothpaste. Both these types of toothpaste can be damaging to the porcelain your veneers are made of. Abrasive elements in toothpaste can cause minor scratches on the surface of your veneers. As a result, food and beverage residue and bacteria will linger in the scratches, making your veneers appear stained.
Choose a soft or medium soft toothbrush to avoid damaging the surface of your veneers.
Spend at least two full minutes brushing your teeth twice a day. Make sure to abstain from eating after your evening oral hygiene routine, as bacteria in the mouth are most active at night and can proliferate if food residue is not removed all the way before you go to sleep.
Clean your teeth on both sides—front and back and along the chewing surface. Hold your brush at an angle that will help clean thoroughly along the gum line.
Rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after meals, especially if you eat or drink staining foods or beverages. Examples of such products include berries, black coffee and tea, red wine, curry, paprika, beetroot, soda, etc.

Professional Dental Care with Veneers

A daily oral hygiene routine is the most important part of caring for your teeth and dental veneers. However, regular professional cleanings and fluoride treatments are also essential. Most of us have hard-to-get-in areas in the mouth, where plaque and bacteria tend to accumulate over time, later turning into tartar and destroying the teeth.

A dental hygienist uses specially designed tools and professional products to effectively remove plaque and tartar, even from hard-to-reach spots in the mouth. On top of that, your dentist will be able to remove plaque from the front surface of your veneers, thus preventing them from staining over time.

Also, if your veneers already appear discolored, a professional dental cleaning can be sufficient to return their original appearance. Remember to never use over-the-counter whitening solutions for your veneers, as they are formulated for the enamel of natural teeth, which is different in structure from porcelain. Consult your veneer specialist about professional veneer services that will help refresh their color.

Get Veneer Services at Turquoise Dental

Get high-quality dental veneers or comprehensive veneer care services at Turquoise Dental. Call our office and make an appointment with a reliable dentist today. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to our dental office.