Dental bonding is a quick and affordable way to repair damaged teeth and enhance the appearance of your smile. The lifespan of bonding depends on a few factors — the biggest of which is your habits. With proper care, your new look could last for several years! What specific steps should you take to protect your bonding and help it to stand the test of time? This blog post provides some practical information.
Keep Up with Oral Hygiene
If food particles and bacteria are allowed to accumulate on your teeth and bonding, discoloration might result. The tooth with the bonding might even develop spots of decay, which could necessitate the removal of the bonding.
To prevent such issues, make it your goal to thoroughly brush your teeth at least twice a day. Be sure to clean along the gumline and the backs of your teeth. Use a soft brush and a non-abrasive gel toothpaste. You should also be sure to floss at least once each day.
Mind Your Eating Habits
Dental bonding is made of a porous composite resin, which can easily absorb pigment molecules. If you overindulge in highly pigmented foods and beverages, therefore, your bonding might become discolored. Therefore, you should enjoy things like coffee, berries, and red wine only in moderation. Sipping dark beverages through a straw can also be helpful.
Additionally, you should avoid biting down on hard foods that might cause your bonding to break. Things like nuts, hard candies, popcorn, and bone-in meats all pose a potential risk to your bonding.
Do Not Use Your Teeth as Tools
Your teeth are designed to help you chew food. If you use them for other purposes, such as trimming your fingernails or opening packages, they could easily chip. Bonding is more fragile than natural tooth enamel, so the risk of it breaking with improper use is especially high.
Do Not Smoke
Smoking can increase your risk of dry mouth, bad breath, and oral infections. All of those issues could compromise the tissues around your bonding. Plus, the smoke could easily stain the bonding and cause it to lose its beautiful appearance.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
You should visit your dentist at least once every six months for a checkup. During your appointments, your dental team can assess the health of your teeth and examine your bonding. If it has significant signs of damage or wear and tear, you will be able to get it replaced in a timely manner.
Dental bonding has the potential to provide you with years of confident smiles! Stick to good habits so the results of your treatment can last as long as possible.
Meet the Practice
The general and cosmetic dentists at Torrington Dental Care find great pleasure in helping patients achieve beautiful, confident smiles via dental bonding and other aesthetic treatments. If you are interested in bonding or have questions about how to maintain it, our team would be happy to speak with you. Get in touch with us at 860-259-4073.