Porcelain veneers treat a range of cosmetic dental flaws with a single treatment performed in just two dental appointments. These tooth-shaped porcelain shells are placed over the front of the teeth to mask imperfections and enhance the appearance of the smile. Maintaining your porcelain veneers is easy as long as you follow our porcelain veneers aftercare instructions.

At North Pier Dental Dental Associates in Chicago, Dr. William Couvelis educates patients about the proper way to care for their veneers. In this blog post, we provide tips to keep your veneers looking flawless and new.

Porcelain Veneer Maintenance Tips

#1: Exercise Good Oral Care

It is important to maintain, or even improve, your oral hygiene routine after getting porcelain veneers. This is critical for two reasons.

First, your natural teeth can still decay beneath the veneers. If you develop a cavity on a tooth that has a veneer, the veneer may need to be removed and replaced so you can have the cavity treated.

Second, keeping your veneers clean can prevent the staining and discoloration that can occur over a long period of time.

To prolong the lifespan of your veneers, you should:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day, ideally in the morning when you wake up and at night before bed.
Floss your teeth once a day.
Use mouthwash as needed.
See the dentist every six months for a dental exam and professional cleaning.

#2: Prevent Stains

While the high-quality porcelain that is used in veneers is resistant to stains, discoloration can still occur. There are steps that you can take to prevent stains and keep your veneers looking new for as long as possible.

First, be sure to follow our oral care instructions to remove food particles and other staining agents from the teeth.

Second, you may also wish to limit or prevent known stain-causing foods and drinks from coming into contact with your teeth.

Generally, dark-colored or deeply pigmented foods and drinks can stain the teeth. This includes beverages such as coffee, tea, dark sodas, and red wine. Foods that are more likely to cause stains include tomato sauce, soy sauce, and berries.

If you do consume these items, you can brush your teeth shortly after eating or drinking these items to remove food and drink particles from the teeth. You may also wish to drink stain-causing beverages through a straw to limit contact with the teeth.

Finally, you should not smoke cigarettes if you get porcelain veneers. Tobacco products can yellow the teeth and veneers, accelerating their need for replacement.

#3: Avoid Damaging Items

Certain habits can damage your porcelain veneers or cause them to become dislodged. Avoid having your teeth come into contact with non-edible items.

For example, don’t open a beer bottle or soda can with your teeth. Don’t use your teeth to break string or clothing tags. Don’t chew on your fingernails or pen caps. Don’t chew on ice or other hard items that can crack or chip the teeth.

By following these tips, your veneers can last for 10 years or more. If you have questions or concerns about your porcelain veneers, request a consultation at North Pier Dental today.

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