Veneers can help to mask any surface imperfections in your teeth, giving your smile a flawless appearance. To make them last longer, these custom-fitted enhancements require proper care, including adopting a routine focused on non-abrasive cleaning tools, avoiding harsh chemicals, and meticulously maintaining the health of the underlying natural teeth and gums.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers function as thin, restorative facings that a dentist bonds to the surface of your teeth to refine their appearance. They are available in various specialised materials, each designed to meet specific aesthetic requirements:
- Porcelain: Highly durable and mimics the light-reflecting properties of natural enamel, resulting in a premium finish.
- Composite Resin: A versatile, tooth-coloured material typically used for faster applications and minor repairs.
- No-Prep Veneers: A conservative option that requires minimal to no removal of the original tooth structure, preserving more of your natural enamel.
These dental treatments address specific aesthetic concerns that standard procedures cannot resolve, such as:
- Stubborn Internal Stains: Covering deep, permanent discolouration that does not respond to traditional whitening methods.
- Physical Tooth Damage: Repairing minor chips, cracks, or edges that have worn down over time.
- Irregular Tooth Geometry: Closing teeth gaps and correcting uneven spacing to create a more uniform alignment for a balanced smile.
Do Teeth Veneers Need Maintenance?
Veneers need maintenance & regular care to keep the edges where they attach to the teeth healthy, prevent the bonding glue from getting stained, and protect the natural tooth underneath from decay that could cause the veneer to loosen or fall off. Although the porcelain surface is generally stain-resistant, the porous adhesive used at the edges remains prone to discolouration. Beyond aesthetics, the underlying teeth remain susceptible to decay, which can destabilise the veneer if neglected.
How Do You Take Care of Veneers?
Adopting the proper way to clean your teeth is essential to veneer care to prevent damage and maintain the integrity of your dental enhancements.
1. Brush Regularly Using Soft-Bristled Toothbrushes
While well-glazed porcelain veneers are smooth and strong, the primary risk for surface scratches comes from using gritty or abrasive toothpaste rather than the toothbrush bristles themselves. Furthermore, aggressive brushing can lead to gum recession, exposing the veneer margin and compromising the seamless aesthetic. It is also vital to select a gentle, non-abrasive toothpaste to protect the surface sheen and bonding of your veneers, such as the Pearlie White Extra Gentle Hypoallergenic Fluoride Toothpaste.
To avoid this, you should always use soft-bristled toothbrushes, like Pearlie White’s BrushCare Enamel Protect Adult Soft Toothbrush, that clean effectively without causing surface wear.
2. Floss Daily
Plaque tends to accumulate where the shell meets your natural tooth. If gum disease develops in this area, the tissue may pull away, revealing unsightly gaps. You can prevent this by using waxed string floss daily. Unlike flosspicks or interdental brushes—which may exert excessive force or lack the necessary tactile control—string floss allows you to gently clean the gum line without levering against the delicate edges of your veneers.
3. Use Alcohol-Free Mouthwash
Standard mouth rinses often contain alcohol, which may gradually soften the bonding cement and lead to the detachment of your dental work. Switching to a mouthwash without alcohol, such as the Sensirinze™ Fluoride Mouth Rinse, can keep your veneers and the surrounding gum line clean without weakening the adhesive. Additionally, these formulas provide the necessary fluoride protection against decay for the underlying natural teeth.
What Should You Avoid After Getting Veneers?
After your procedure, avoid the following to prevent structural fractures or chemical damage to the bonding agent.
1. Hard Foods
The first 48 hours after your procedure are important, as the dental cement needs time to cure fully. During this period, you should avoid biting directly into hard foods, such as raw carrots, nuts, or ice. To protect your veneers while the bond sets, it is recommended to stick to a soft diet.
2. Very Hot or Very Cold Foods
Because the preparation phase of fitting your veneers involves removing a small amount of enamel, your teeth may experience temporary sensitivity after the procedure. To manage this transition and prevent sharp dental pain, it is best to keep your meals at room temperature. Tooth sensitivity management products such as the Pearlie White Advanced Sensitive Fluoride Toothpaste and Pearlie White Sensirinze Mouth Rinse are also recommended.
3. Using Your Teeth as Tools
The habit of using teeth to tear tape, open plastic packaging, or hold metal objects like keys applies a shearing force that damages porcelain. To care for your veneers, always reach for a pair of scissors or the appropriate tool, not your teeth.
4. Chewing On Hard Items
Biting hard, non-food items like pens or metal clips can fracture porcelain veneers, which are strong for normal chewing but brittle under concentrated forces. Avoiding these habits is essential to protect and care for your dental enhancements.
5. Stain-Causing Foods and Drinks
Dark beverages like coffee and red wine, as well as soy sauce or curry, can leave stains that create a visible border around the tooth. These marks can make the edges stand out and ruin the natural look of your smile. A whitening toothpaste, such as Pearlie White’s Advanced Whitening Toothpaste, will be useful for removing such stains.
6. Tobacco Products
Smoking is highly detrimental to oral aesthetics because it stains the bonding agent and irritates the gums. For this reason, avoiding tobacco products protects the structural stability of your veneers.
7. Biting Your Fingernails
Biting your fingernails puts immense pressure on the incisal edge, which is the functional biting part of the tooth. Because porcelain is a brittle material, it can flake or crack when subjected to the concentrated force of nail biting.
8. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, puts immense pressure on your dental work, which can cause the porcelain to chip, crack, or even pop off completely. Over time, the constant friction also wears down the edges of the veneers and can loosen the bond holding them in place. Wearing a custom-made nightguard provides the necessary cushion that absorbs this force and protects your dental work while you sleep.
How to Make Veneers Last Longer?
To extend the lifespan of your dental work, you must look beyond surface aesthetics and focus on your overall oral health.
1. Regular Dental Check-Ups
Scheduling a visit every six months so a professional can monitor the condition of the bonding material and the health of the underlying teeth. Through these regular dental check-ups, your dentist can catch minor issues before they turn into costly repairs or replacements.
2. Maintain Overall Oral Health
The longevity of your veneers depends on the tissues supporting them, as problems like periodontitis can cause the foundation of your dental work to shift or weaken. Consequently, maintaining firm, healthy gums through meticulous hygiene helps ensure your veneers remain aligned and attached.
3. Contact Your Dentist If a Veneer Chips or Detaches
If a veneer chips, becomes loose, or completely detaches from the tooth, try to locate and save any porcelain fragments that have come off. While it may be tempting to try a quick fix at home, avoid using household adhesives like superglue, as these chemicals are toxic and can permanently damage your natural tooth surface. Instead, contact your dental clinic immediately to have the piece professionally rebonded or replaced.
How Long Do Veneers Last with Proper Care?
The lifespan of your dental work depends on the material used and your level of maintenance. Porcelain veneers are the most durable, typically lasting 10 to 15 years, with some lasting up to 20 years. In contrast, no-prep veneers and composite resin alternatives can last 5 to 7 years or longer, especially with proper care. Ultimately, the better you take care of your veneers, the longer they will stay bright and intact.
Keep Your Veneers Sparkling with Pearlie White’s Oral Care Products
Maintaining a radiant smile requires a balance of avoiding hard impacts and using the right oral care products to protect the bonding material. By caring for your veneers with proper daily hygiene, you can ensure they remain stain-free and securely attached for years to come.
Pearlie White offers ideal solutions for veneer care and maintenance, including mouthwash without alcohol that protects the cement bond and mouth freshener spray for quick, safe cleaning after meals. Shop from our collection today to give your veneers long-lasting protection.
For more information about our oral care products, you can read our comprehensive guide to breath sprays.