What mouthwash do you recommend for porcelain veneers?

I love my new porcelain veneers! Everyone seems to notice something is different. But, they can’t seem to put their finger on it. Anyway, I want to keep them looking great. What type of mouthwash is best for cosmetic dentistry?

-Sheila in California

Sheila,

That’s wonderful to hear how happy you are with your beautiful porcelain veneers. Mouthwash isn’t required to keep your porcelain veneers looking great. In fact, it really doesn’t do a whole lot for hygiene either.

However, if you want to keep mouthwash in your daily routine, you need to avoid any brand that contains alcohol. Some popular brands of mouthwash contain over 20% alcohol, which is not good for porcelain veneers. The alcohol in mouthwash can weaken the dental bonding that is used to hold the porcelain veneers in place. Over time, if porcelain veneers are exposed to these types of products, it can cause them to loosen, cause micro-leakage and possibly come off. Other oral hygiene products that contain alcohol can also negatively affect your gums and overall oral health.

There are brands of alcohol-free mouthwash. Just be sure to read the label. A couple brands that do not contain alcohol are Crest Pro-Health and Breath-Rx. There are others too again just be careful and read the ingredient list.

Caring for Porcelain Veneers

1. Brush your teeth after you eat each meal. A soft, gentle cleaning will do.
2. Flossing twice daily will help keep your porcelain veneers looking their best.
3. Avoid abrasive whitening toothpastes or other hygiene products.
4. Keep up with routine care. Be sure you visit a dental hygienist that is experienced in caring for cosmetic dentistry. Some cleaning equipment is too abrasive to be used on cosmetic dentistry. It can ruin the protective glaze and cause permanent damage.
5. If you grind or if your dentist suspects grinding, wear a night guard for sleeping.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.