Your Smile Deserves to Last
Cosmetic bonding is one of the most natural, minimally invasive ways to achieve a stunning smile. Whether you've repaired a chipped tooth, closed a gap, or enhanced your overall smile aesthetics, you've made an important investment in your appearance—and your confidence.
At Dr. Katie To Center of Wellness Dentistry, we use advanced, biocompatible, BPA-free composite materials to maintain your wellness while improving your smile. Dr. Katie To and Dr. Minh Luu are both Masters in Digital Smile Design which they use to create seamless results that look and feel just like your natural teeth. But like anything beautiful and well-crafted, your bonded smile needs consistent care to keep it looking and functioning its best for years to come.
In this comprehensive guide, we’re sharing our top 10 cosmetic bonding maintenance tips—straight from our expert team. These tips are designed to help you preserve your results and protect your investment with confidence.
Let’s get into it.
1. Prioritize Daily Oral Hygiene
Brush twice a day with an electric toothbrush such as the Sonicare or Oral-B iO to effectively remove plaque and bacteria without damaging your bonding. Pair brushing with daily flossing to keep your gums healthy and prevent decay at the edges of your restorations.
–Pro Tip: Angle your brush toward the gumline and spend a full two minutes brushing. You can even use an app-connected brush to help you track your technique.
Learn more about our wellness hygiene visits at the Center of Wellness Dentistry.
2. Boost Cleaning with a Water Flosser
Water flossers like the WaterPik are powerful additions to your home care toolkit. They help flush out debris and biofilm from hard-to-reach areas—especially around the gumline and bonded surfaces.
For an extra boost, fill your device with warm sea salt water, diluted hydrogen peroxide, or just distilled water with baking soda.
–Pro Tip: Use your WaterPik every night before bed for best results.
3. Switch to Bonding-Friendly Toothpastes
Most over-the-counter whitening toothpastes contain harsh abrasives that can scratch or dull your composite bonding over time. Avoid any toothpaste that promises stain removal through “micro-crystals” or similar ingredients.
Instead, choose non-abrasive, fluoride-free toothpaste such as:
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RiseWell Mineral Toothpaste (hydroxyapatite-based)
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Biocidin Dentalcidin Toothpaste (botanical blend)
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Homemade toothpaste with 2 ingredients (organic coconut oil and baking soda)
–Pro Tip: Check with our team before switching to a new product—some "natural" pastes still contain gritty abrasives. You can rub the toothpaste between your fingers to check for grittiness. Choose toothpaste that smooth and not gritty.
4. Minimize Staining Foods and Beverages
Composite resin is naturally porous, meaning it can absorb pigments from foods and drinks. The top staining culprits include:
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Coffee and black tea
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Red wine
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Blueberries, cherries, and beets
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Curry and tomato-based sauces
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Colas and dark sodas
That doesn’t mean you have to avoid them forever, but be mindful of frequency and rinse with water afterward. Drinking through a straw can also reduce contact with your front teeth.
–Pro Tip: Schedule professional cleanings 3–4 times or more per year if you're a frequent coffee or wine drinker. You will keep your bonding last longer.
5. Protect Against Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Bruxism—also known as teeth grinding—is a silent enemy of cosmetic bonding. It puts intense pressure on your teeth, which can cause microfractures, chipping, or premature wear on your bonding as well as your natural teeth.
If you wake up with jaw tension, headaches, or notice flattening on your teeth, it’s time for an evaluation. Our team may recommend:
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A custom nightguard appliance
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Myofunctional therapy
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TMJ evaluation and support
–Pro Tip: Don't delay treatment—unmanaged clenching can undo years of dental work.
6. Properly Clean and Store Your Oral Appliances
If you’ve been fitted with a nightguard, retainer, or Invisalign trays, proper maintenance is essential.
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Rinse after each use and brush gently with clear, foaming antibacterial soap (not toothpaste!)
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Allow to air dry before storing in a ventilated case.
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Avoid hot water, which can warp your appliance.
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Clean your appliance with filtered water or distilled water to avoid mineral accumulation.
–Pro Tip: Bring your appliance to each hygiene visit so we can inspect and deep-clean it for you.
7. Invest in Guided Biofilm Therapy Cleanings
While good home care is critical, professional cleanings remove what you can’t reach. We recommend Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT)—a cutting-edge cleaning method using AirFlow technology with warm water, erythritol powder, and gentle touchless airflow to lift biofilm from all surfaces, including cosmetic bonding.
At our wellness-focused dental center, GBT is part of your preventive health strategy, not just a cosmetic touch-up.
–Pro Tip: Book your cleanings 3 to 4 times a year, especially if you have bonding on multiple teeth.
8. Improve Tongue Posture and Oral Function
Yes, tongue posture plays a role in your oral health! Myofunctional therapy is a simple yet powerful way to support jaw alignment, reduce clenching, and improve breathing.
Try this daily tongue exercise:
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Press the tip of your tongue just behind your upper front teeth.
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Open and close your mouth while keeping that tongue position.
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Repeat several times per day.
Additionally, mouth taping at night (when sinuses are clear) encourages nasal breathing, which maintains better oral pH and supports saliva production.
–Pro Tip: Ask us about our in-house myofunctional therapy protocols and service.
9. Support Your Smile from the Inside Out
What you eat—and what you avoid—has a direct impact on your bonding's longevity. A low-inflammatory diet helps reduce acidity in the mouth and promotes better healing and mineral balance.
Eat more:
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Leafy greens, omega-3 rich foods, and high-fiber veggies
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Vitamin-rich whole foods (especially A, D, K2)
Avoid:
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Processed sugar, sodas, excess dairy, and gluten
We may also recommend targeted supplements like MI Paste, Vitamin D3/K2, or silver/ copper to support enamel and gum health.
–Pro Tip: Schedule a consultation to personalize your wellness dental nutrition plan.
10. Schedule Consistent Follow-Ups with Your Cosmetic Dentist
Bonding can last 5–10 years or more with proper care. But like any aesthetic treatment, occasional touch-ups may be needed. Early intervention is key.
If you experience:
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Sensitivity that doesn’t resolve
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A small chip or rough edge
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Changes in color or texture
Contact us right away. Most minor repairs can be completed quickly and painlessly in a single visit.
At the Dr. Katie To Center of Wellness Dentistry, we don’t just repair smiles—we help you maintain them for a lifetime. As a nationally recognized leader in minimally invasive cosmetic bonding, Dr. Katie also teaches these advanced techniques to other dentists through KT Dental Seminars.
Your Beautiful Smile Deserves the Best Care—Don’t Wait
Your smile is a reflection of your wellness, your confidence, and your story. You've invested in something truly special—now let’s make sure it lasts.
At Dr. Katie To Center of Wellness Dentistry, we provide the highest level of personalized, integrative dental care to help you protect your cosmetic bonding and support your whole-body health.
Don’t wait until stains, chips, or wear start to show. Schedule your cosmetic bonding wellness check-up today and let us support you with expert care and trusted guidance.
Call our office to book your next appointment.