How to Care For Your Teeth After Dental Bonding

Did you know that seven out of ten people in the United States feel self-conscious about their teeth? With that large statistic, it’s no wonder that there are so many cosmetic dental procedures available. One of the many popular procedures is dental bonding. 

If you’re thinking about getting your teeth bonded but are still unsure, you’ve clicked on the right article. Here, you’ll learn all about dental bonding and how to care for your bonded teeth. By the time you finish reading, you’ll be able to know if dental bonding is right for you.

Let’s look deeper into what you should expect from dental bonding. 

What Is Dental Bonding?

Many people have teeth that they feel are not ideal and can include chips, discolorations, and cracks. A whitening treatment alone would not help to improve the appearance of misshapen teeth, so what in the world of cosmetic dentistry can you do?

Crowns and dental veneers are popular options for improving the appearance of teeth. Dental crowns are essentially caps that cover over your damaged teeth. On the other hand, veneers are slim coverings that are placed over your damaged teeth and more or less achieve the same effect as dental crowns.

However, both crowns and veneers can be very expensive. If you’re tight on money, dental bonding might be the best option. But what is so special about bonded teeth?

For dental bonding, resin, which is a type of durable and non-toxic plastic, is used. This resin, of course, matches the color of your teeth in order to improve your smile. 

In order to apply the resin, the surface of your damaged tooth will be roughened by the dentist in order to create a sturdy foundation for the resin. An adhesive will then attach to your tooth followed by the application of the resin. The dentist will then shape the resin into the shape of a tooth to cover the damage to your original tooth. 

After that, ultraviolet light will be shined over the resin tooth to harden it. As it hardens, the dentist can make further adjustments to the shape of the bonded tooth, if necessary. Once the resin hardens completely, the dental bonding procedure will be finished. 

The Benefits of Dental Bonding

One of the biggest benefits of dental bonding is its affordability. Dental bonding usually costs no more than $600 for the procedure. On the other hand, dental crowns can cost around $1,100, and veneers can cost up to $2,500 per tooth. 

Another advantage is that dental bonding can be completed within an hour and no dental checkups are usually necessary. In contrast, dental crowns take several hours, and veneers can take up to three weeks to complete. 

There is no preparation needed before the dental bonding procedure, either. This also means that there is no need for anesthesia. 

Dental bonding can be used for more than dental chips and cracks as well. In fact, dental bonding is a great option to fill cavities, close gaps between teeth, and make short teeth appear longer. 

The only downside of dental bonding is that it may not work on severely decayed teeth. There is also a chance that they may chip when eating hard foods. 

Once you get your teeth bonded, should you take any special precautions? 

Dental Bonding Aftercare

You don’t want your freshly bonded teeth to be ruined by stains or chips right after getting them, so what can you do to keep them looking ideal and maintained? 

As with natural teeth, you should brush your teeth regularly. This means brushing your teeth at least twice a day, usually once in the morning and once in the evening. It is important that you use toothpaste that contains fluoride. 

Fluoride helps to remove and prevent plaque buildup, which is a major cause of tooth decay. Also, don’t forget to change your toothbrush around every four months. By using a worn-out toothbrush, your teeth won’t be getting the proper clean they need.

To ensure that your teeth are cleaned thoroughly, flossing is always a good idea. After brushing, be sure to floss between each tooth all the way down to the gum line. Flossing is another precaution against the buildup of plaque. 

Another way to keep your bonded teeth maintained, as well as your natural teeth, is to drink plenty of water. This is especially true after meals. 

Fruit juices and soft drinks are often acidic and full of sugar. When consuming these beverages, these acids and sugars can stick to your teeth and weaken them over time. By drinking water instead, your teeth are kept clean and free of any food remnants. 

What to Avoid With Bonded Teeth

After getting your teeth bonded, you will want to avoid any substances that can stain your teeth. Coffee and dark teas are common culprits in teeth stains, especially when consumed daily. Red wine, certain fruit juices, and anything containing artificial colors will have the same result. 

If you’re a smoker, you may want to cut back on the cigarettes. This is because tobacco smoke can very easily stain teeth a yellowish shade. 

If you don’t avoid hard food, you may encounter another problem: chips and cracks. Hard or crunchy foods like candy or nuts can put a strain on your bonded teeth and eventually lead to them chipping. Bad habits such as fingernail biting will have the same effect. 

As long as you follow these teeth maintenance guidelines and see a dentist regularly, you should have no problems with your bonded teeth.

Your Dental Bonding Aftercare Guide

You are now familiar with what dental bonding is and how to care for your teeth once they’re bonded. With this knowledge, you can be confident when choosing the right cosmetic treatments for your teeth.

To learn more about dental bonding and other cosmetic dental procedures, contact us here

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