You’ve just completed your cosmetic treatment, and your smile has never looked better. Whether you have new veneers, crowns, bonding, or Invisalign, the results are designed to enhance both your appearance and your confidence.

But cosmetic dentistry isn’t a one-and-done solution. To keep your results looking great and functioning as they should, it’s important to follow the right care routine at home. A few small habits can go a long way toward preserving your smile.

Here’s how to protect your investment and enjoy the benefits of your cosmetic work for years to come.

• Daily care matters. Use non-abrasive products and gentle techniques to protect your restorations.
• Watch what you eat and drink to avoid staining or damaging your dental work.
• Break habits like nail-biting or using your teeth as tools. They can shorten the life of your restorations.
• A custom mouthguard can protect your smile from grinding and sports-related damage.
• Regular checkups help keep your cosmetic restorations looking and functioning exactly as they should.

Unlike natural teeth, cosmetic restorations like veneers, bonding, and crowns can’t regenerate or respond to damage the same way. That’s why your home care routine plays a critical role in keeping your smile healthy, strong, and beautiful.

✓ Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, or an electric one with a pressure sensor.
Abrasive scrubbing can wear down the edges of veneers and bonding. A gentle touch helps preserve the smooth finish and prevent gum recession around your restorations.

✓ Stick to a non-abrasive, fluoride toothpaste.
Whitening or charcoal pastes may contain gritty particles that can dull the surface of some cosmetic materials. We recommend low-abrasion toothpaste options like Sensodyne Pronamel.

✓ Don’t forget to floss!
Daily flossing effectively removes plaque, prevents gum inflammation, reduces the risk of gum disease, and enhances the longevity of dental restorations.

✓ Replace your toothbrush every 3 months.
Worn bristles are less effective and can fray around dental work. Swap out your toothbrush or brush head regularly to keep your brushing safe and effective.

✓ Use an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Some restorations can be sensitive to alcohol-based rinses. Choose a formula that’s gentle, enamel-safe, and approved by your cosmetic dentist.

Want to keep your smile makeover in top shape?
Book your next checkup with a cosmetic dentist in Edmonton who prioritizes functional aesthetics.

Once you’ve invested in cosmetic dentistry, what’s on your plate (and in your cup) matters. Certain foods and drinks can stain, weaken, or wear down your restorations faster than you’d expect. The good news is you don’t have to give up your morning coffee or Friday night wine…you just need to be a little strategic.

→ Watch for stain-prone culprits.
Coffee, red wine, berries, soy sauce, and curry can discolour both natural teeth and some types of dental bonding or composite materials. Tip: Drink staining liquids through a straw when possible, and rinse with water after meals.

→ Limit acidic and sugary choices.
Citrus juices, tomato-based sauces, and soda can erode enamel and irritate the edges of veneers or bonding. Over time, this can affect both aesthetics and function.

→ Skip the crunch and stickiness.
Eating foods like popcorn (the rogue kernels!), chewing on ice, or biting into whole apples can crack or chip restorations. Sticky candies like taffy or caramel can pull at bonding and loosen crowns.

→ Modify, don’t eliminate.
Slice apples into wedges. Choose softer alternatives to crunchy snacks. Sip, don’t swish. Small changes help protect your smile without giving up the things you love.

If something does stain or chip your dental restorations, we’re here to help. Many issues can be corrected quickly with a gentle polish or touch-up, especially when caught early.

While cosmetic dental materials are built to last, they’re not indestructible. Certain everyday habits can slowly undo the work you’ve invested in, sometimes without you even realizing it.

Some of the biggest offenders to watch out for:

✗ Smoking or Vaping
Tobacco products stain teeth, increase the risk of gum disease, and compromise healing after treatment. Smoking can dull the results of your cosmetic restorations and shorten their lifespan.

✗ Nail Biting or Chewing on Pens
These unconscious habits put concentrated pressure on the edges of veneers, bonding, and crowns. Over time, they can cause cracks, chips, or loosening.

✗ Using Your Teeth as Tools
Opening packages, biting off tags, or twisting off bottle caps with your teeth might seem harmless, but it’s one of the fastest ways to damage your restorations.

These habits may be hard to break, but they’re even harder on your smile. If you need help finding alternatives or protecting vulnerable areas, we’re happy to make recommendations.

Teeth grinding often happens during sleep, and high-impact sports can lead to sudden damage. Both can affect your cosmetic dental work just as much as natural teeth (sometimes even more so). The best defense? A custom-fitted mouthguard.

• For nighttime teeth grinding: A night guard cushions your smile and reduces pressure on crowns, veneers, or bonding that could otherwise crack or shift with repeated force. Most patients don’t even realize they’re grinding until visible damage appears.
• For athletes: Sports-related contact (whether on the field, the court, or in the gym) can lead to chips or fractures. A properly fitted sports guard protects your dental work while letting you breathe and speak comfortably.

Store-bought guards might offer a temporary fix, but they can be bulky, uncomfortable, or too loose to offer real protection. At Toothworks Dentistry, we design custom-moulded mouthguards that fit your bite precisely, so they stay in place and do their job without getting in the way.

Even the most diligent daily care can’t replace what happens in the dental chair. Regular checkups are essential for maintaining both your cosmetic results and your overall oral health.

Reasons why ongoing visits are so important:

🔹 We monitor your restorations over time.
Cosmetic dental work can shift, wear down, or develop small fractures. At your visits, we check that everything is functioning properly and looking the way it should.

🔹 We catch issues early, before they become costly.
Small chips, early-stage staining, or minor bite imbalances can often be corrected easily when detected early. Waiting too long may mean more invasive (and expensive) repairs.

🔹 Professional cleanings remove what your toothbrush can’t.
Tartar buildup, especially along the gumline, can lead to inflammation or gum recession, both of which can affect the stability of veneers, crowns, or bonding.

Cosmetic dental work is an investment, and ongoing care helps protect it. From touch-ups to regular check-ins, Toothworks is your trusted partner for cosmetic dentistry in Edmonton.

After cosmetic treatment, it’s completely normal to have a few follow-up questions, especially once you’ve lived with your new smile for a little while. Patients often come to us with questions like:

• My crown feels a bit sensitive. Is that normal?
• What if my bonding starts to feel rough or looks uneven?

Whether you’re due for a check-up, noticing a small change, or just want professional advice, the team at Toothworks is happy to take a look. Ongoing care is the best way to keep your results looking and feeling just as good as they did on day one.

Have a question or need to book a follow-up? Get in touch today. We’re here when you need us.