Making Your Dental Bonding Last

Dental bonding uses composite resin materials to correct cosmetic imperfections in your smile. Whether you have a chip or want to close a gap, this service can help restore a complete, well-functioning smile. With proper care, dental bonding can last up to ten or as little as three years. Consider these tips to help you make the restoration last longer.

Avoid certain foods

While dental bonding is incredibly durable and meant to help the teeth function as normal, patients should still avoid using the tooth or teeth with the bonding to break down incredibly hard food. This is largely because the composite resin material does not require shaving down the enamel for bonding. Additionally, the material can become worn through constant intake of acidic foods and drinks. Therefore, the following foods may result in damage or cause the dental bonding to become lost:

• Citric juices
• Corn nuts
• Gummy or sticky snacks
• Lemons
• Nuts
• Popcorn kernels

Avoid using the teeth as a tool

It is common for people to want to use their teeth as a tool to open things like packages or bottles. Some may even use them to mindlessly chew on inedible objects, like pens or their fingernails. The composite resin material can withstand biting forces for normal foods with a certain level of firmness. However, patients should consider quitting this habit altogether, as even natural enamel can sustain damage from it.

Wearing mouthguard

Mouthguards are ideal for those who play sports that may result in potential mouth hits. While dental bonding may withstand some level of sudden force, it may be different for every sport. Sports mouthguards can cushion blows to the mouth, protecting the restorative and natural teeth.

Furthermore, if a patient grinds or clenches their teeth, likely under stress or while sleeping, this action can wear down the bonding material and natural teeth. In turn, this can cause pain, sensitivity, and general discomfort. Thus, purchasing a simple mouthguard for daily or nightly wear can prevent these side effects from occurring.

Proper oral hygiene practices

Even though the dental bonding material is closely matched to the color of the patient's natural teeth, it can still stain if not properly cared for. Additionally, the natural teeth can still develop decay or disease. Therefore, patients must ensure they keep up with proper oral hygiene routines. As it goes, patients should brush twice a day, floss once a day, and use an antibacterial (non-alcohol) mouth rinse once a day to ensure the rest of the mouth, especially the host tooth, remains healthy and intact.

Maintain biannual dental appointments

The best way to ensure dental bonding is holding up well is to maintain biannual dental appointments, as recommended by the American Dental Association, or ADA. During these appointments, the dentist will perform a physical examination in addition to professional cleaning, checking the entire mouth for abnormalities. They will also ensure the bonding material is holding strong and does not need touch-ups.