Bonded Front Teeth: How to Eat With Them

If you have minor dental problems, such as chipped, stained, or misshapen teeth, dental bonding may be a great solution for you. Dental bonding in Chaska is a simple and affordable procedure that uses composite resin to cover and fix the affected tooth, giving you a flawless smile! At Town Dental, we offer dental bonding for our patients in Chaska, MN, and nearby areas. Before you decide to get dental bonding, you should know how to eat with your bonded front teeth. Here is some useful information for you. But first, let’s see what dental bonding involves.

What is Dental Bonding?

Dental Bonding Technique – Opting for dental bonding in your vicinity provides a straightforward and swift treatment, typically accomplished in a single session at our dental clinic.

• Your local dentist roughen the surface of the tooth (or teeth) requiring bonding.
• Choose a shade of composite resin that is close to the shade of your own teeth.
• The process involves applying and then sculpting the resin on the tooth as required.
• Use a special light to harden the resin.
• Polish the tooth to achieve a natural and beautiful appearance.

Dental bonding is not suitable for every situation or every patient. The composite resin material is strong but not as strong as your natural teeth. It is not recommended for back teeth (molars) that have to bear a lot of pressure when you chew. It is best for front teeth that have less pressure. Dental bonding is also meant for minor issues, so if you have more serious problems, your dentist in Chaska may suggest another option. Dental bonding can help with these issues:

• Cracked, broken, or chipped teeth
• Discolored teeth that don’t respond to whitening products
• Slightly crooked teeth
• Oddly shaped teeth
• Teeth with large gaps

How to Eat with Bonded Teeth

The composite resin material, a key component in dental bonding, is resilient and can maintain its integrity for between 5 and 10 years with appropriate upkeep. However, it doesn’t quite match the robustness of natural teeth and is susceptible to staining from specific foods and beverages. Therefore, post-dental bonding, it’s essential to be judicious with your dietary choices.

Here are some tips on what to avoid or limit:

• Hard foods – Avoid biting into hard foods with your bonded teeth, as they may damage the resin material. Examples of hard foods are nuts, hard candy, and popcorn kernels. If you do eat them, use your back teeth to chew. Also, stop chewing ice, as it can harm both your natural and bonded teeth.
• Sticky foods – Sticky foods can pull or loosen the resin material from your teeth. Examples of sticky foods are gummies, caramel, taffy, and gum. These foods also contain sugar, which is bad for your oral health. If you do eat them, eat sparingly and avoid contact with your bonded teeth.
• Staining drinks – Many drinks that we enjoy can stain our teeth and the resin material. Examples of staining drinks are coffee, tea, wine, and colas. Moderate consumption of such beverages and utilizing a straw can help minimize their contact with your teeth.
• Staining foods – Some foods can also stain your teeth and the resin material. Examples of staining foods are tomato-based sauces and berries (such as blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries). You don’t have to avoid these foods completely, as they have health benefits. But you should brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water after eating them to minimize the staining.
• One last tip: never use your teeth as tools! Engaging in this activity can be detrimental to the health of your teeth, irrespective of them being natural or bonded. Don’t use your teeth to open bottles, cut tape, or hold objects.

Dental bonding has many advantages: it is fast, inexpensive, long-lasting, and effective in fixing minor dental problems. But you need to take care of your bonded teeth to keep them in good shape. Besides following the above tips on eating with bonded teeth, brush twice and floss once daily for good oral hygiene with bonded teeth. To learn more about dental bonding and see if you are a good candidate, contact Town Dental in Chaska, MN, today and book an appointment.