How to Take Care of Veneers

No matter the reason you have veneers, you want to take care of them so they last as long as possible.

However, regular wear and tear, combined with other issues such as teeth grinding, can do severe damage to your new enhancements.

In this article, we’ll explain the best practices for caring for your dental veneers and maintaining their appearance over time.

First, Listen to Your Dentist

It’s not easy to hear everything the dentist has to say while you’re in the chair. Between the local anesthetic, a little (or a lot of) dental anxiety, and the rush to just be out of there, much of what your doctor says can sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher (you know, the “Wah wah wa waaah wa wah!”).

However, taking care of your veneers starts with the dentist’s instructions. Veneers come in various materials. What yours are made of plays a large role in how long they’re expected to last and how much maintenance they require.

Porcelain Veneers

As more celebrities show the benefits of a healthy-looking smile, the average person realizes they don’t have to live with the cracks and imperfections in their teeth. Steadily rising in popularity, porcelain veneers are popping up everywhere in Hollywood.

Porcelain is the material of choice due to its numerous advantages. These veneers can be shaped and colored to match your natural teeth, making them ideal to correct:

• Discoloration
• Misalignments
• Gaps
• Chips

They’re also highly durable — a well-made porcelain veneer can last 15 years or more if it is properly cared for.

Like natural teeth, food, drinks, and tobacco can cause veneers to stain, but porcelain has a high level of stain resistance. This attribute makes it ideal for those looking for minimal upkeep. You’ll still need to brush and floss as usual for optimal oral health, but you don’t need to worry about staining becoming a major issue.

On the downside, this type of material is more expensive than others, and it’s not suitable for patients with gum disease, severe tooth decay, or thin enamel.

And if you have bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching), you’ll want to wear a custom night guard, like those we have at JS Dental Lab, to protect your porcelain veneer from cracking.

Composite Veneers

Since most insurance companies don’t cover veneers, porcelain might not be in your budget. The good news is that composite veneers are generally more affordable and offer many of the same benefits.

Made of composite or composite resin, these veneers, like porcelain, can be crafted and colored to match your natural teeth. Unlike porcelain, though, if your composite veneer is damaged, it’s easier (and cheaper) to repair.

The disadvantages of this type of veneer include a shorter lifespan (5-7 years with care) and less stain resistance and durability. While no one will know you’ve had a cosmetic dental procedure, composite veneers aren’t always as realistic as their porcelain counterparts. You’ll need more frequent care and upkeep to keep your new veneers looking natural and fresh.

No-Prep Veneers

Porcelain and cosmetic veneers are somewhat invasive. They require a little shaving of the tooth enamel to leave room for the wafer-thin shell to bond to the surface. No-prep or prepless veneers, such as Lumineers, are minimally invasive for those looking for a pain-free, semi-permanent way to cover a minor imperfection.

This type of veneer doesn’t last as long and can easily be dislodged, but you get the freedom to change the appearance of your smile at any time.

Since there’s minimal prep involved, your new smile can be achieved in just one appointment. There’s no need to remove any enamel, making them ideal for those who already have thin teeth. Prepless veneers work for anyone, even if you have severe tooth decay or gum disease.

Removable Veneers

Removable veneers, also called “pop-ons,” are convenient and affordable for anyone looking for a temporary way to cover up imperfections in their smile. They’re non-invasive and can be “popped on” instantly for quick changes. Removable veneers are portable, allowing you to put them on and take them off at your convenience.

Pop-on veneer kits are available online as a one-size-fits-most purchase. They can be customizable, but are not as detailed as porcelain and composite options. They’re made from plastic, so they’re easily damaged and prone to discoloration. Since they’re not custom-made for your teeth, they don’t always fit perfectly and can interfere with your speech and bite.

Removable veneers are great for occasional changes in your appearance (think: Halloween, a high school reunion, or a wedding), but if you want a long-term, affordable solution, composite veneers are the more cost-effective and beneficial option.

Daily Cleaning Habits For Veneers

Regardless of the type of veneer you have, regular dental hygiene and other daily cleaning habits should become part of your routine. While brushing twice a day and flossing daily are essential, adding these other simple steps can help extend the lifespan of your veneers.

Keep Your Mouth Rinsed

When you eat, food particles and other debris stay on the enamel. The bacteria and acids can build up and erode the tooth and veneers. 

To prevent that from happening, be sure to rinse your mouth after meals. Chewing sugar-free gum can help, too, as it activates the salivary glands and naturally rinses your mouth. Studies show that this step can also reduce cavities and slow down tooth decay.

Use the Right Cleaning Products

For as durable as they are, veneers are also very delicate. Be careful not to scrub yours. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive cleaning products.

You’ve already had your veneer custom-shaded to match your natural teeth, so whitening products can be a problem. The veneer won’t bleach like your other teeth do, making your smile unevenly white. If you want to lighten your teeth, talk to your dentist about the best way to protect the veneer while also making a consistently matching smile.

How to Avoid Chipping and Staining Your Veneers

Veneers are durable, but thin. They’re prone to chipping, just like your harder-than-bone teeth.

The good news is that your dentist can repair or replace your restoration, but no one wants to go through that discomfort and expense twice.

Instead, be mindful of what you put in your mouth:

• Avoid biting on hard objects (like ice and pen caps).
• Don’t eat chewy, hard, or sticky foods that you bite on with your veneer head-on.
• If you grind your teeth, wear a night guard consistently. Even one session of grinding can put enough force on your enamel to chip or crack the veneer.

Why Staining is a Concern

Staining is another common complaint from veneer wearers. This effect arises from lifestyle habits such as meal patterns, oral hygiene routines, and tobacco use. How badly your veneer is susceptible to staining depends on the material it’s made from.

Composite veneers are more likely to stain than porcelain options. Because the composite is more porous, dark and bright ingredients — like coffee, tea, soda, and red wine — stay in the material longer. If you brush quickly, you can reduce surface staining; however, discoloration can occur with prolonged or frequent use of tobacco products.

Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, but the bonding material can become discolored. Over time, the protective glaze on the veneer may also wear away, leading to staining.

Temporary and pop-in veneers are made from less durable, stain-proof materials. These are more prone to chipping and staining, and shouldn’t be chosen for long-term wear.

How to Avoid Staining Veneers

All teeth tend to stain with age, even those with restorations. While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent stains, you can slow them down by focusing on a light-foods diet as much as possible. This means reducing consumption of beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine, and avoiding foods with known staining agents —think marinara sauce, berries, and curry.

Bump up your oral hygiene habits by brushing regularly with a non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss daily to prevent plaque and tartar buildup, and visit the dentist for regular checkups to avoid tooth decay and cavities that could affect your veneers.

When to Include Professional Maintenance and Check-Ups

When you have veneers, maintenance starts at home but extends to regular check-ups. These biannual visits are also a great time to have your veneers polished to keep them shiny.

If you notice chips or other damage (especially if you’re a grinder), have them checked quickly before the veneer needs to be replaced rather than repaired.

Watch for these warning signs that your veneers may be shifting, cracking, or otherwise having issues:

• Tooth sensitivity
• Loose or shifting veneer
• Discoloration in your smile
• Differences in your bite

For the most part, your veneers can handle day-to-day wear and tear. They’re strong enough to act like your natural teeth, chewing food, rinsing away bacteria from the surface, and standing up to daily exposure.

However, the enamel under the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue are at risk, and the veneer itself can become stained and chipped.

Professional maintenance ensures early signs of damage are caught before they become problematic. Your dentist will monitor the health of the tooth under the veneer, minimizing the progression of gum disease and the buildup of dangerous plaque.

Combined with good oral hygiene at home, this maintenance can extend the lifespan of your porcelain and composite veneers.

Common Mistakes That May Shorten Your Veneer Lifespan

Proper care of your veneers doesn’t have to be a challenge. With regular upkeep and oral hygiene, the front surface of your tooth stays healthy, the veneer remains shiny, and the hidden parts of the gum and enamel are free from decay and damage.

But there are a few common mistakes that shorten the veneer’s lifespan and damage your teeth. To keep your veneers natural-looking and prevent problems, avoid these frequent errors:

• Not taking care of your grinding and clenching habit - Wear a custom night guard consistently if you’re a grinder.
• Eating sticky and hard foods often - Once in a while is okay, but gum chewing and other sticky/hard/chewy items need to be minimized. When you have veneers, an apple a day might not be what the dentist orders.
• Using your teeth as a tool to open things - Packets, bottles, and jars can be opened with scissors and real tools — not your expensive veneers.
• Tobacco or drug use - Not only will smoking and drugs stain your teeth and veneers, but they’ll also cause serious damage to your oral health.
• Poor oral hygiene - Brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristle toothbrush. Floss daily and follow up with non-alcohol mouthwash to remove hidden food particles and debris.
• High-impact activities like contact sports - If your hobbies or profession include anything where your jaw is at risk of impact, always wear a mouthguard.

If you avoid these mistakes and visit the dentist for regular checkups and professional cleanings from a hygienist, your veneers can last 10-20 years!

Conclusion

The condition of your veneers depends on the aftercare you provide. Your cosmetic dentist should provide you with detailed instructions, and this guide explains everything you might have missed.

Keep an eye on the surface of your teeth and your gum line for signs of damage, use fluoride toothpaste, and watch your diet for foods that stain. To keep your beautiful smile, always avoid tobacco products and drugs. And if you grind your teeth, a custom night guard is a must.

Order your veneer-saving night guard today and have it delivered to your door!