Caring For My Veneers

Learn how can you benefit from veneers and how to take care of them properly!

Veneers are a great option for providing a shiny and perfect smile almost instantly. Made from medical-grade porcelain (or ceramic), veneers, which are thin covers, are bonded to your teeth to cover up imperfections such as stains, discolouration, small chips, cracks and even gaps. Veneers can also be used to straighten teeth, provided the misalignment is minor and doesn’t require much force.

The materials used to make veneers closely resemble the natural enamel of your teeth, both in composition and appearance. This means that the veneers will blend into your mouth seamlessly (so no one will notice) and offers the same strength and durability of your teeth’s natural enamel.

Why Should I Get Veneers?

Veneers are a great option because they are:

• Comfortable: Veneers are thin and light, so you won’t even feel or notice a difference.
• Offers protection: Teeth are vulnerable to damage and decay so veneers can provide added protection for your natural teeth.
• Easy to get: The process for getting veneers is non-invasive and fairly quick.
• Long-lasting: If properly cared for, veneers can last you many years.
• Easy to maintain: Easily care for your veneers (and extend their life) by following our simple tips below.

How Do I Care for my Veneers?

Thanks to the materials used to make them, veneers can last you anywhere between 7 – 10 years, on average. This however, is dependent on how well you care for and maintain your veneers; poor care and eating habits can cause your veneers to deteriorate rapidly.

So, how do you take care of your veneers and ensure their longevity?

• Maintain proper oral hygiene: Taking care of your veneers is just as important as taking care of your natural teeth, especially if you want them to last you a long time. Since the veneers are bonded to your teeth, they effectively become your new teeth and you should maintain them through proper brushing and flossing to remove plaque and dirt and avoid staining. Remember to brush and floss gently to avoid accidental breakage of the veneers. You should also use a quality mouthwash to kill bacteria which could cause infection and disease.
• Watch what you chew: Despite being strong and durable, veneers can still get damaged. Biting and chewing hard and sticky foods, ice, etc. can cause accidental damage or chips to the veneers, especially temporary veneers. Chewing on non-edible items, such as your fingernails, pens or pencils, or opening packages with your teeth can also cause major damage to your veneers. Try to avoid these harmful habits and foods if you want your veneers to last.
• Avoid stains: Veneers can be stained (just like you teeth), so you should take care and avoid staining substances such as excessive amounts of tea, coffee, red wine, berries, deeply coloured sauces, etc. and habits such as smoking which could stain your veneers and ruin them; remember, veneers are not affected by teeth whitening treatments, so if you stain them, you will probably have to replace them.
• Protect them: If you play a lot of active sports or suffer from teeth grinding, make sure you get a mouth guard. The mouth guard will protect your teeth from an accidental sports injury and your teeth grinding which can wear down and damage your veneers.
• Visit your dentist regularly: You should visit your dentist regularly for a proper cleaning every six months to keep your teeth and mouth clean which can help increase the lifespan of your veneers. You should also visit your dentist every three months for a polishing to help improve the longevity of your veneers and maintain their sparkle and shine!

Veneers are essentially a recreation of your natural teeth and are the ideal solution to dental imperfections – making them one of the more popular cosmetic dental procedures around. Proper care and consideration can go a long way in extending their life, so you can enjoy yours!

Interested in getting veneers and want to know more about them? Then book an appointment with Kitchener Street Dental by calling (0)7 3184 8462 or completing the query form on our Contact Us page.