If you’ve had a composite bonding procedure to whiten your teeth or correct medical or trauma to your teeth, one aspect that you may be thinking about is aftercare. The better you care for your composite bonding, the longer it will last and leave you with a dazzling smile for years to come. So, what’s the best way to care for composite bonding?

What Is Composite Bonding? 

Also known as composite artistry, composite bonding in Essex is a completely non-invasive form of dentistry that uses a glass-like material to not only lighten the colour of your teeth, but repair and replace broken edges, tooth size and shape. The flexible, versatile material can be moulded, formed and directly bonded onto the tooth.

Dentist technicians use different shades of the composite bonding material to match the colour of your natural teeth as much as possible, creating an almost perfect, beautiful smile that is natural in appearance.

How To Care For Composite Bonding 

The way you care for your composite bonded teeth following the procedure will have an impact on how long they last. Well-looked after composite bonding can last as long as 7-8 years, at which point they may need resurfacing, or even removed and replaced. So, how do you care for composite bonding?

  • Avoid Eating Or Chewing Anything That Is Hard – composite bonding is not as tough as your natural tooth and therefore you should always bear this in mind when eating or chewing anything that is hard, such as toffees, hard boiled sweets, nuts, apples and carrots (although these can be cut into small-sized pieces), even crusty rolls or bagels. If you have any bad chewing habits, like pen chewing or nail biting, now’s the time to give it up.
  • Steer Away From Food, Drink And Bad Habits That Stain Teeth – just like your natural teeth, composite bonding will stain over time. So, it would be a good idea to reduce your intake of food and drinks that cause excessive tooth staining, like tea, coffee and red wine. If you smoke, this will have an adverse effect on composite bonding and cause staining so maybe it’s time to give that up, too. Most of the staining will probably happen around the edges of the composite bonding so using a whitening toothpaste, or even having a whitening treatment by your dentist, will help to reduce staining and preserve composite bonding.
  • Excellent Oral Hygiene – when you have composite bonding in Essex, oral hygiene becomes paramount to preserve its longevity. Regular visits to your dentist are a must to check the composite bonding is still in good condition and holding. Hygienist visits will ensure the removal of excess staining, keeping your smile looking white and fresh. It is also a good idea to sign up for annual re-polishing to make sure that your smile is always radiant. At your dentist visits, you may find that they will recommend a mouth guard if there are signs that you grind your teeth (we don’t always know we’re doing this, particularly overnight).

Composite bonding is becoming a popular alternative to crowns and veneers; not only are they much cheaper, but the procedure is also completely non-invasive and produces excellent results.

When you’re ready to get composite bonding, you can check out this family dentist in Ballwin to start your journey to healthier and prettier teeth.