Dental bonding is one of the easiest and most convenient cosmetic treatments out there. It often takes just one appointment to get a new smile and the best part – there’s no special aftercare required. You can go for a drink or bite with your friends immediately after the treatment.
That said, dental bonding is not as strong and durable as your natural teeth and you should take some long-term precautions to make it last for as long as possible.
Here’s how to take care of bonded teeth.
1. Proper Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is crucial to keep your mouth healthy and prolong the lifespan of your dental bonding. Brushing helps remove bacteria-filled plaque while the fluoride in the toothpaste coats your teeth, adding a barrier of protection against acids in your mouth.
Opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle toothpaste as the bonding material can get scratched if you use harsher products.
2. Don’t Use Your Teeth As Tools
You have a stubborn bag of chips and no scissors around, so what do you do? You use your teeth to open it. But, using your teeth as tools too often will increase the risk of damaging or breaking your bonding.
As a rule of thumb, don’t use your teeth to open packages, chew on pen caps, bite your nails, open bottle caps, and so on.
3. Be Careful When Eating Hard Foods
Ideally, you should stay away from foods like nuts, hard candies, popcorn kernels, and pretzels. The same goes for foods that can stick to your teeth like taffies.
But, if you are really craving them, be very careful how you bite and chew them to avoid breaking your dental bonding.
4. Avoid Staining and Acidic Foods
Although the composite resin material of dental bonding is somehow stain-resistant, it can still discolor sooner than later if constantly exposed to pigmented and acidic foods.
To keep staining to a minimum, you can drink your coffee or other pigmented drinks through a straw. You should also consume colored foods in moderation and brush or drink a glass of tap water after having them to rinse your teeth.
5. Wear a Mouthguard If You Grind Your Teeth
Let your dentist know if you grind your teeth at night (bruxism,) and they will provide you with a custom-made mouthguard to protect your bonding.
You should also always wear a mouthguard when playing sports. Accidents can happen and you may damage your bonding or even knock a tooth out if your mouth is not protected.
Dental Bonding in Northampton, MA
Did you chip or crack a tooth and want to correct it? Dental bonding can help you restore your smile. Get in touch with Refresh Valley Dental and let Dr. Aurora find the best cosmetic treatment for your needs.
Reach out online or call our office at (413) 387-4585 to book your appointment.