Considering veneers for a perfect smile or want to keep your existing ones in great condition? We’ve got the essential care tips you need. Learn how to clean and brush your veneers, what foods to avoid, and how to prevent damage. By following these guidelines, you can maintain your veneers for years and confidently show off your beautiful smile.
What are veneers?
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of teeth to enhance their appearance, typically made from porcelain or composite resin. They effectively cover dental imperfections like discoloration, chips, cracks, and gaps, providing a natural-looking, flawless finish. As a popular cosmetic treatment, veneers offer a quick and minimally invasive solution, requiring only minimal enamel removal. Customizable to match your natural teeth in shape, size, and colour, veneers can address a variety of cosmetic concerns and, with proper care, provide a long-lasting, confidence-boosting smile.
Benefits of getting veneers
- Dramatic Smile Improvement: Veneers can conceal stains, chips, cracks, and misshapen teeth, resulting in a flawless and uniform look. This can significantly boost your self-confidence and enhance your overall well-being.
- Functional Advantages: Veneers can strengthen and protect your natural teeth, especially if you have weakened or damaged enamel. They act as a protective barrier, reducing the risk of sensitivity or decay.
- Durability and Longevity: High-quality veneers can last for many years with proper care, providing a long-lasting solution to cosmetic dental concerns.
- Conservative Treatment: Veneers require less removal of the natural tooth structure compared to other dental treatments like crowns or bridges, making them a more conservative and reversible option.
How long do veneers last?
With proper care, veneers can last 10 to 15 years or longer. High-quality porcelain veneers are particularly durable, resistant to staining, and chipping, making them a dependable long-term option for improving your smile. The lifespan of your veneers depends on the quality of the materials, your dentist’s expertise, and your oral hygiene routine. Regular brushing, flossing, and avoiding habits like teeth grinding can help extend their life.
Tips for maintaining veneers
Caring for your veneers is essential to ensuring their longevity and maintaining the beautiful, flawless appearance of your smile. Here are some expert tips to help you keep your veneers in top condition:
- Daily Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Gently brush your veneers to avoid wearing down their surface over time. Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles.
- Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush: Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent scratching the surface of your veneers, which can lead to dullness or discolouration.
- Be Gentle When Brushing: Use gentle, circular motions when brushing your veneers, avoiding excessive pressure to prevent chipping or cracking.
Foods and drinks to avoid with veneers
While veneers are durable and stain-resistant, they are not immune to damage or discoloration. Certain foods and drinks can potentially compromise the integrity and appearance of your veneers, so it’s important to be mindful of what you consume. Here are some items to avoid or limit when you have veneers:
- Hard and Crunchy Foods: Avoid biting into hard foods like nuts, hard candies, ice, or popcorn kernels, as these can chip or crack your veneers. Consider cutting these foods into smaller pieces or avoiding them altogether.
- Acidic Foods and Drinks: Highly acidic items like citrus fruits, tomatoes, wine, and soda can wear down the surface of your veneers and cause discoloration. Rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum after consuming these to neutralize the acidity.
- Staining Foods and Drinks: Foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine, and berries can stain your veneers over time. Although veneers are stain-resistant, it’s important to be mindful of your intake and maintain good oral hygiene to keep them bright.
Achieve a flawless smile with veneers
Veneers can give you the radiant, flawless smile you’ve always desired. To keep them looking great and lasting long, maintain good oral hygiene, have regular dental check-ups, and watch your diet and lifestyle. By following expert care tips, you can ensure your veneers stay in top condition for years. To schedule an appointment, call Sunstone Dental Clinic at (604) 428-8722.