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Dental veneers can transform your smile, improve your dental health and boost your confidence. But to keep them looking their best, proper aftercare can be vital. With the right upkeep, you can protect your veneers from stains or damage, helping you avoid potential costly repairs or replacements down the road.
The great news? With proper care, veneers can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years.1 But where do you start? Below, we'll break down essential aftercare tips to help you keep your veneers in top condition for years to come.
1. Take Extra Precautions When Brushing and Flossing
One of the most important things you can do to maintain the health of your veneers is to practice good dental hygiene every day. And with veneers, you may need to take some extra precautions:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.2 Avoid whitening toothpaste or toothpaste with baking soda, as these can scratch your veneers.1
- Don't brush too hard, as this could contribute to gum recession.3 Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently.4
- Floss daily with polytetrafluoroethylene floss (PTFE), which may be easier on your teeth. Waxed nylon floss may be tough to fit between your veneers, and unwaxed nylon floss might shred.1
- Rinse daily with an antibacterial mouthwash.4
2. Consider Using an Electric Toothbrush
If you want to be extra careful with your veneers' longevity, talk to your dentist about the benefits of using an electric toothbrush with soft bristles. The electric toothbrush precisely controls how much pressure you put into brushing your teeth, which ensures your teeth are well-cleaned without putting too much pressure on your gums.1
The firmer your toothbrush's bristles or the greater the pressure, the more likely you are to damage the area where your gums meet your teeth, causing your gums to recede. Receded gums expose the natural root of your tooth, which will be a different color than your veneers.1
3. Be Careful With Hard Foods
Although veneers are strong, they're not as strong as your natural teeth. Try to avoid chewing on hard food with your veneers, including hard candies and ice. Biting into ice or very hard candies may cause your veneers to chip or crack. Then you would need to visit the dentist, and you might possibly have to pay for an entirely new veneer.5
4. Limit Food and Drinks That Can Stain Veneers
Dentists offer different advice when it comes to avoiding beverages that can stain your teeth once you have veneers. Some say that beverages like coffee, tea or red wine should be limited.5 Others advise using a straw while drinking a beverage like coffee, rinsing your mouth with water or brushing your teeth about 20 minutes after you're done.6
However, some dentists believe the likelihood of staining is only a concern with less expensive veneers, such as composite veneers versus stain-resistant porcelain veneers.3 It's best to talk to your dentist and get their advice for your specific situation.
You might want to limit your consumption of certain foods like tomatoes and berries, which also carry a chance of staining your veneers.6 However, dentists' advice on this might vary, so speak to your dentist about your specific needs.
5. Don't Chew on Nonfood Items
Avoid biting on hard nonfood items (like chewing on pens or your nails) because this can damage your veneers.4
And if you used to try to open packages or bottles with your teeth, it's time to stop. Using your teeth as a bottle opener or to tear open a package can damage your veneers.5
6. Avoid Tobacco
Don't use tobacco, whether you're chewing tobacco or smoking. This can discolor the edges of your veneers and cause damage. By not smoking, you may help your veneers last longer.5
7. Don't Try to Whiten Your Veneers at Home
If you feel like your veneers aren't white enough, talk to your dentist rather than trying to whiten them at home. Common tooth-whitening techniques, like using baking soda, can actually damage or scratch your veneers and make it easier for them to stain.3
8. Monitor Your Tooth Sensitivity and Pain After Getting New Veneers
Your new veneers may increase your tooth sensitivity at first. You may be extra sensitive to hot or cold from the enamel loss, your gums may feel sore, your speech may be affected as you adjust or you may even notice some discomfort as you adjust your bite to accommodate your veneers. However, if this doesn't clear up in one to two weeks, you may have longer-term problems that you should talk to your dentist about.7
You can help reduce sensitivity the first few days after getting your veneers by using a desensitizing toothpaste recommended by your dentist, drinking room-temperature liquids, avoiding overly spicy foods or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater up to three times a day.7
9. Wear a Mouthguard While Playing Sports
If you play sports, ask your dentist about wearing a mouthguard to protect your veneers. You can buy a mouthguard at a sporting goods store that you soften in hot water and mold to your teeth. Or, for maximum protection, you can ask your dentist to make a professional sports mouthguard for you.1
10. Wear a Custom Night Guard if You Grind Your Teeth
If you grind your teeth at night, this can damage your veneers. Just like eating hard candy or ice, grinding your veneers against your regular teeth might lead to chipping or cracking your veneers. And in a worst-case scenario, you might then have to replace your veneer entirely. Your dentist can make a custom night guard to protect your veneers from damage.5
11. See Your Dentist Regularly
See your dentist at least twice a year for checkups and dental cleanings.4 Your dentist might also polish or whiten your veneers while you're there (especially if they have become slightly stained from food or drinks).6
Your dentist will also check your veneers for problems. This includes looking for damage, decay or wear. By finding and addressing issues early, your dentist can help your veneers have a longer life.5
12. Monitor Your Teeth for Problems
Contact your dentist if any of the following signs of potential problems occur:
- The edges of your veneer look brown. (This might indicate gum recession and the possible need to replace your veneer.)3
- The shape of your veneers changes.4
- You feel a strange toothache beneath your veneer.7
- You feel discomfort for longer than two weeks after your veneers are put in.7
- You notice a chip or crack in your veneer.4
- Your bite feels uneven.7
- Your veneer feels loose.5
- Your veneers seem discolored. (This could indicate tooth decay or plaque.)3
If your veneer cracks or feels loose, don't chew on that side of your mouth to avoid further damage until you can see your dentist.5
Maintaining Your Smile With Dental Veneers
Veneers can be a great investment that improves your smile and boosts your confidence. But getting them is just the first step. Regular dental check-ups, good oral hygiene and mindful habits can go a long way in preserving their appearance, and these tips can help you minimize damage to your veneers and help maintain your beautiful smile for years to come.
Talk to your dentist about any questions or concerns you might have. Understanding the care and attention veneers require can help you maintain a bright, healthy smile.
Financing Dental Veneers With the CareCredit Credit Card
Whether you're getting dental veneers or you're simply paying for a dental exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist or oral surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit. Use the CareCredit credit card, again and again, to pay for your health and wellness wants and needs, and download the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
In addition to dental care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?
Author Bio
Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news and animal health and is a business owner, non-practicing attorney and writer.
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