I have been really working on getting in shape and taking care of myself. When I reached my weight loss goal last year, I thought it would be fun to reward my hard work with a new smile. I asked my dentist about Lumineers and he first recommended we take care of some periodontal disease. After that was taken care of, he told me he doesn’t do Lumineers but uses some other ultra-thin veneer. I trusted my dentist about the brand because he has always taken care of me. I couldn’t be happier with the way they look. I can’t stop smiling, literally! But there is a huge drawback no one ever warned me about. My breath stinks! When I talk with my dentist he is telling me that I’m not properly doing hygiene at home, but I totally am. It is bazaar because I can smell the stink on my toothbrush right after I’m done brushing. Have you ever heard of this before? Is this because my dentist used some knock-off brand?

– Coleen in New Jersey

Coleen,

Many dentists don’t agree with all the hype that comes along with the marketing efforts of the Lumineers company. Many feel there are other brands of ultra-thin porcelain veneers that look much nicer and they also don’t have the trademark or laboratory requirements that Lumineers do. Most highly skilled cosmetic dentists prefer other brands of porcelain veneers.

Even though the timing of your bad breath issue seems to be pointing to your new veneers, it is quite unlikely that they are the problem. In most cases, this is a dietary change. You mention that you lost a lot of weight recently. Take a look at what you are consuming daily because it affects your breath. Also, periodontal disease contributes to an odor that you probably became used to if you had it for awhile. So when that was corrected, the smell likely subsided. But if it’s been some time since your last professional cleaning, it may be that your gums are beginning to have issues again.

It may be worth your while to invest in a deep cleaning. Be sure that you communicate with your hygienist and hopefully he or she can take some extra time and teach you some proper hygiene habits at home to eliminate this from reoccurring. If periodontal disease is something you have been struggling with, you may want to go in more frequently for cleanings to help keep it under control.

If you are convinced it is not a diet or hygiene issue, there is nothing wrong with seeking a second opinion from a different cosmetic dentist. There are some cases where veneers fail to bond correctly. Or sometimes the shape may be picking up bacteria or food particles. Hopefully, this information was helpful. Good luck! Glad to hear you love the way your new smile looks. Think of how much more you will love it when this issue is taken care of.