How to Keep Your Veneers Looking Their Finest

Implementing good oral hygiene habits and avoiding habits that could damage natural teeth or veneers is paramount. Aim to brush twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush with nonabrasive toothpaste for maximum benefits.

Avoid foods and drinks that stain, such as coffee, tea, red wine, dark-colored berries, and soy sauce. Also, stop chewing on hard items like ice cubes, pencils, or nails, which could chip your veneers.

Brush and Floss Daily

Though veneers may be less susceptible to staining than natural teeth, that doesn’t mean they don’t require regular care. Brushing and flossing daily remain the best ways to ensure a beautiful smile; additionally, visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings will ensure any food residue attached to veneers can be caught quickly before it causes problems.

Keep your veneers shiny with regular brushing using soft-bristled toothbrushes and nonabrasive toothpaste, and avoid sticky foods such as granola, hard candy, and pizza crust that contain sticky substances that could irritate the enamel beneath and lead to gum disease and other issues later.

Avoid Stains

Veneers can be an ideal way to correct chipped, misalignments, or wear on teeth and brighten a smile. But because veneers may stain just like natural teeth, proper care must be taken when placing them.

Avoid drinking beverages that stain teeth, such as tea, coffee, red wine, black licorice, and certain berries. Consuming these drinks through a straw may help avoid staining by diverting liquid away from your teeth and away from them entirely.

Avoid chewing hard items such as pens and fingernails, as these can damage veneers. Also, quit smoking; smoking can discolor both your veneers and underlying teeth, as well as lead to other oral health concerns. Get regular dental checkups so your veneers stay in great shape!

Wear a Mouthguard

If you participate in sports or activities where the impact may cause damage to the mouth, wearing a mouthguard will protect not only veneers but also natural teeth from potential issues and prevent any possible harm that could come your way.

Chewing on hard items such as ice, pencil tips, or jewelry can damage veneers. Instead of biting into these objects directly, try chewing apples, carrots, or other soft foods. Additionally, avoid using your teeth as tools; scissors or appropriate hand-held devices are better options for opening packages than teeth are.

Smoking can have detrimental health consequences and cause your veneers to stain over time, so ideally, it would be best if you could quit altogether; if necessary, seek help from your dentist regarding smoking cessation aids that may help you finally make this change.

See Your Dentist Regularly

As with your natural teeth, dental veneers require regular oral care to stay looking their best. Brush at least twice daily using nonabrasive toothpaste and floss daily to eliminate plaque build-up in hard-to-reach places.

Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups, allowing them to detect early signs of tooth decay or damage to natural teeth and gums. They may also prescribe a nightguard to protect veneers from premature wear and tear.

Finally, to protect your veneers, you should avoid foods and drinks that could stain them, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored fruits and vegetables like coffee. Suppose you eat these items immediately afterward. In that case, you should brush your teeth immediately afterward, try not to chew hard items such as ice or fingernails with your teeth, and never use your teeth as tools for opening packages.

Consider a Water Flosser

When purchasing cosmetic veneers, your goal should be for them to last as long as possible. However, without proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist, your veneers could discolor over time or develop issues. To extend their longevity longer term, follow these easy tips:

Ask your dentist to suggest a whitening toothpaste that will keep your teeth white without corroding the bonding material or natural tooth enamel underneath your veneers, and avoid smoking and chewing tobacco products.

At first, your teeth may feel sensitive after receiving new dental veneers; this should fade within a few days. However, if you cannot floss around them, this could indicate issues with fitting or excess cement in the veneers.