6 Tips to Help Make Your Veneers Last As Long As Possible
Your bright and brilliant investment deserves the ultimate care!

A popular procedure in cosmetic dentistry, porcelain dental veneers are capable of truly transforming a natural smile’s appearance through addressing and correcting imperfections such as discolouration, shape and size irregularities, jagged edges or cracks/chips, and gaps or spaces.

With that being said, while a porcelain veneers procedure may not be entirely permanent and will typically require replacement after around 10 years - a patient can take certain steps to ensure their veneers stay in top shape for much longer (for as much as 20 years or more) - before warranting another visit to the dentist.

So, are you ready to learn about these top porcelain veneers-preserving tips? Let’s get right into it!

1. Never use your teeth as tools or bite down on any hard objects.

Attempting to open up water bottles or caps with the teeth (using them as tools), or using the teeth to bite down on hard objects such as ice, fingernails, or the caps of pens, can pose a great risk to the veneers - as they can easily end up cracked, chipped or damaged from the exuded pressure.

2. Be sure to use the proper oral hygiene tools and devices.

It’s important to make sure you’re using a soft bristled toothbrush along with a non-abrasive toothpaste when you clean your teeth/veneers. Gentle cleaning is critical to ensure that the porcelain material of the veneers doesn’t experience any wear or damage.

3. Brush and floss every day.

Just like the natural teeth, porcelain veneers require daily proper cleaning (brushing gently twice daily for two full minutes each session, along with once-daily flossing - never skip this step!) These proper oral health habits will help to protect the natural teeth from decay and the gums from disease - as such oral health problems can contribute to the failure of a veneers treatment.

4. Avoid use of tobacco products.

Tobacco products (smokeless and chewing) are notorious for staining the teeth. While porcelain veneers are more resistant to staining vs. our natural tooth enamel, they can still discolour or yellow over time - and tobacco use is a surefire way to achieve this.

5. Avoid consuming dark-coloured foods and/or drinks

Certain foods and beverages are known to also contribute to teeth and veneer staining - including tomato sauce, berries, coffee, tea, wine, dark colas and dressings. Fortunately, limiting your smile’s exposure to these types of substances will help to protect your veneers and keep your smile brilliantly bright for longer. (Oh, and making a habit of rinsing your mouth with water after consumption is also recommended).

6. Wear a mouth guard for protection

If you suffer from a nightly teeth grinding habit (bruxism), this will put your veneers at a high risk for damage if you don’t wear a nightly mouth guard for protection. Additionally, if you play competitive sport, you’ll need to ensure you’re wearing a sport guard. Wearing a mouth guard in these situations will not only serve to protect your beautiful veneers, but are necessary to protect your smile in general.

When should veneers be replaced?

As soon as the porcelain begins to show noticeable signs of wear, then it is time to replace your veneers.

The installation of your new veneers will be very similar to that of your initial installation (that ideally would’ve taken place 20 years ago and no less!) To replace your original veneers, the dentist will file away at the old bonding agent, and a new mold or impression of your teeth will be taken.

Then, new porcelain veneers will be custom created again to be bonded back to your teeth - creating a stunning and fresh new smile result!

Interested in transforming your smile with porcelain veneers?

Choosing the right cosmetic dentist will also go a long way in helping ensure your veneers last longer - and our experienced dentist in Guelph would be pleased to help you on your journey to a stunning smile!

Contact our team to schedule your veneers consultation today.