How To Care for Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are ultrathin shells cosmetic dentists use to instantly improve your smile. After investing in veneers, you’ll want to properly care for them to make sure they last as long as possible.

Although they are made of porcelain, dental veneers are incredibly strong and can withstand most pressure applied when biting your teeth together. With proper care, your veneers could last up to 15 years.

It’s important to understand how to care for your porcelain veneers to get the most out of your new smile. Fortunately, the maintenance is fairly straightforward and can be done by following a few simple steps.

You must take care of your porcelain veneers just like you do your natural teeth. Keeping them bright and beautiful will ensure they continue enhancing your smile for many years. Make sure to care for them in these 3 key ways:

1. Maintain great oral hygiene.

If you already have a solid oral hygiene routine, there isn’t much you’ll need to change to take care of your porcelain veneers. Daily brushing and flossing, along with rinsing with mouthwash at least once a day, will keep your veneers clean and beautiful.

The biggest challenge most people face is learning the proper technique for brushing and flossing your veneers. You want to angle your toothbrush toward the gumline at around 45 degrees and work in small, gentle circles. Aggressive brushing could damage the gum tissue, leading to recession that leaves a gap between the veneers and your gumline. Additionally, abrasive agents like baking soda and charcoal can also ruin your veneers.

Part of your oral hygiene routine should also include getting your teeth and gums evaluated via routine cleaning appointments. Your dental hygienist will remove bacteria and tartar from your teeth that you may have missed with your toothbrush, and the evaluation will help your dental team identify if there are any areas of concern.

2. Kick certain habits.

Porcelain veneers are not porous like your natural tooth enamel. Over time, enamel can discolor due to consumption of foods and drinks like coffee, tea, and blueberries. In contrast, veneers tend to stay pearly white for years.

However, using tobacco products is not only bad for your overall health, but it is also dangerous for your oral health. Cigarettes and other tobacco products can penetrate the bonding agent and cause your veneers to darken or yellow, particularly around the edges. The best way to protect your dental health and your smile’s aesthetic is by kicking this habit for good.

If you’ve had porcelain veneers for several years, consider undergoing a professional whitening treatment to help your surrounding teeth match the color of the veneers.

3. Protect your veneers.

Bruxism is the official term for grinding or clenching your teeth. A good number of patients do this in their sleep without even realizing it until they experience unpleasant symptoms like jaw pain or headaches. This habit can place a lot of extra stress on veneers, causing them to break, chip, and wear. Grinding your teeth is generally rough on your teeth and jaw, so if you suspect you suffer from bruxism, set up a visit with your dentist as soon as possible.

To combat bruxism, your dentist can take impressions for a custom nightguard. Wearing this oral appliance while you sleep protects your veneers as well as your natural teeth by providing a cushion between the upper and lower arches and forcing the jaw to relax.

And just like grinding your teeth can damage your veneers, so can biting on ice, hard candy, and other hard items. So you want to avoid these items as much as possible.

What To Do if Your Veneers Become Damaged

Porcelain veneers are extremely durable; however, they are not immune to damage. Despite you doing all the right things to help protect your veneers, accidents can still happen. If your veneer breaks, remove all loose pieces from your mouth to avoid swallowing them, and do not try to remove any remaining pieces or dental cement yourself.

The first thing you should do when a dental veneer becomes damaged or broken is to contact your dentist and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. They’ll want to look at the area and discuss your repair options, which may include:

Rebonding

When a veneer comes off without breaking, it’s called debonding. Your dentist can typically rebond a veneer that is in one piece like this. Rebonding is the best scenario you can hope for if your veneer comes off.

Polishing

Minor damage like a small chip may be fixable with minor adjustments. Sometimes your dentist can simply smooth the area and then polish it using special polishing tools. However, this method may not always be able to restore the chipped area to its original shine.

Replacement

If your porcelain veneer is cracked or broken, the restoration must be replaced entirely. Your dentist will take an impression of the tooth so they can create a new veneer. They’ll then remove any remnants of the damaged veneer and original dental cement to ensure a clean, prepped surface before bonding the new restoration in place.

Trust an experienced dentist in Bee Cave to care for your veneers.

The longevity of your veneers depends on your daily oral care routine. Practicing excellent oral hygiene will help your veneers stay beautiful for longer.

It’s also important to find a dentist you can trust to monitor your veneers and oral health. At Tomasik Family Dental, we can help ensure your restorations last for many years through routine evaluations and preventive cleanings. To experience heart-led dental care from a highly trained team, contact us today.