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Dental veneers are no small investment, which is why making small daily changes to help maintain your brilliant new smile is well worth it. With the right at-home and professional care, your results can last for decades, allowing you to avoid any unexpected visits to your cosmetic dentist and needs for replacement veneers. Read below for four tips to help you get the most out of your new veneers.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Your oral hygiene habits, whether you smoke or use tobacco products, if you use mouthwash with alcohol—these are just a few of the variables that play into how long your dental veneers will last. Typically, with diligent good at-home and professional oral hygiene, they can last for 25 years or longer. In fact, their decades-long lifespan is what makes them a popular cosmetic treatment!
4 Maintenance Tips for Veneers
The key to helping lengthen your results after getting veneers is to form good habits. Below are four important maintenance tips to ensure you’re able to get the most out of your brand new cosmetic dental investment.
Brush & Floss Every Day
Just like with your natural teeth, in order to preserve your results, brushing twice a day and flossing daily are crucial. Although your veneers aren’t able to get cavities, your supportive teeth underneath them are, which is why preventive care is a must. This also includes visiting your dentist every six months for professional cleanings and checkups!
Use Non-Abrasive Dental Products
Make sure that the materials you’re using to clean your veneers won’t scratch or harm them. Never use whitening toothpaste on your veneers because, not only will they not brighten, as they’re made from a non-porous material, but the toothpaste is also more abrasive. In addition, always use a soft bristled toothbrush and alcohol-free mouthwash, as alcohol can degrade the cement attaching your veneers to your teeth over time.
Avoid Staining Foods & Drinks
If your veneers are made of dental porcelain, they are stain-resistant, but this doesn’t mean that they can’t discolor at all. If you consume heavy amounts of stain-causing foods and beverages like red wine, tomato-based sauces, and coffee, you may notice your smile’s brightness fade much faster than if you were to be mindful of avoiding these.
Kick Bad Oral Habits
Tobacco products are not only bad for your overall health, but they can also cause your veneers to more rapidly discolor, dimming your newly brightened smile. In order to preserve your results, you’ll want to have a plan in place to quit using tobacco. If you’re not sure where to start, consult with your primary care physician—they’ll be able to guide you to reliable resources.
By implementing these four maintenance practices into your life, you’ll be able to minimize the chances of needing to replace your veneers soon after getting them. 25 years with a brighter, more symmetrical, and healthy-looking smile is well worth the investment in switching up your daily routine!
About the Author
Dr. Monica Mattson has over two decades of experience practicing dentistry and has proudly served in the U.S. Navy, where she completed her General Practice Dental Residency. In addition to offering routine preventive and restorative dental care, she provides a wide range of cosmetic services to help boost patients’ confidence and overall well-being, like dental veneers. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit Diamond Dental of Owing Mills’ website or call 443-394-2273.