How to Extend the Life of Your Veneers for as Long as Possible

Veneers are an investment in not just your teeth, but in your self-esteem. Having a whiter, brighter smile will make you look younger, healthier, and feel more confident. This in turn can help you seem more outgoing and professional, which can benefit you in your career as well as your personal life. With so many perks, improving your smile is downright priceless. But to make the most of your money, it’s important to take care of your smile so your veneers last as long as possible. Here’s how you can make the most of your investment by properly maintaining your oral health!

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are thin porcelain or composite resin shells that fit over your existing, healthy teeth to create a beautiful, white smile. They can cover myriad flaws, from stains and discoloration to chips and gaps, and because they are made of durable materials, they can resist new stains forming, too. They can even make short teeth look longer or improve the appearance of misshapen teeth.

How Do I Get the Most Out of My Veneers?

Care and Maintenance

In this day and age, stretching your dollar as far as you can just makes, well, “cents.” To get the most out of your veneers, you need to care for them as well as you would your natural, untreated teeth. Be sure to brush regularly (at least twice a day) and floss at least once a day. You should also continue to attend your regular, semi-annual dental cleanings and exams.

When brushing, be sure to use only a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Do not use whitening pastes, baking soda, or charcoal pastes, either. Instead, stick to a gel variety that contains fluoride.

Dietary Choices

While your new veneers will resist most stains, it is still imperative that you keep them clean. While durable, these materials are still somewhat porous and can discolor with time if not properly cared for. Thus, if you do indulge in darkly colored foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, and soda, you should be sure to follow them with a glass of water or brush your teeth when you are done.

While you should still be able to eat most of the foods you love, be careful to avoid anything too sticky or chewy like taffy or caramels and try to avoid biting into crunchy foods like apples or corn on the cob with your front teeth. Instead, serve them sliced so you don’t accidentally lose a veneer while eating!

Be a Quitter

If you smoke, you should consider quitting prior to getting your new veneers, or soon after. Smoking can stain your real teeth as well as your new veneers, so quitting will not only protect them, but it can also save your life!

Remember, with proper care and maintenance, your veneers can last up to 20 years, however because your dentist must remove a small layer of enamel to attach them, they will eventually need to be replaced.

Make the most of the investment in your smile and try these tips for extending the life of your new veneers!

About Dr. Canzoneri

Dr. Kenneth J. Canzoneri believes in the power of education for enhancing his skills as a dentist and teaching his patients how to best care for their own oral health. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), the Southern California Academy of General Dentistry (SCAGD), and the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD).

To schedule an appointment for veneers or any other treatment, please visit our website today or call us at 626-446-1679.