Dental veneers, often made from ceramic porcelain, resin, acrylics, or composites, are a great solution if your teeth are misaligned, chipped, damaged, or even discolored. Veneers are intended to mimic real teeth, giving you a beautiful, natural-looking smile. Porcelain veneers are the most popular choice as they are stain-resistant, and have a slight reflective tone, but resin veneers are thinner, and therefore allow you to maintain a more natural tooth surface.
No matter which kind of veneers you choose, you need to treat them with care and respect. Though they make quick work of giving you the smile you want, damaging them can be just as quick. Dental veneers are tough, but they aren’t indestructible.
Veneers generally last 10 to 15 years, but only with proper care. Your daily habits can greatly affect the lifespan of your veneers, and, if you’re not careful, can cause you to need a repair or full replacement more often than you should.
Make Your Dental Veneers Last
The same bad habits that can damage natural teeth can also hurt dental veneers. Biting your nails can crack or chip veneers, as can biting down on hard foods like ice. Dark beverages like red wine, coffee and tea can also stain veneers if you’re not careful.
It’s not hard to make healthy habits that protect your veneers. Especially if you do things like:
- Brush and Floss – Cleaning your mouth is an absolute must in order to avoid damaging your veneers. Brush and floss at least twice a day, and don’t forget to visit your dentist for semi-annual deep cleans and checkups.
- Avoid Using Teeth As Tools – Everyone is guilty of using their teeth to open a tough package or loosen a tight knot. However, this habit poses a very big risk to dental veneers, as it not only exposes your mouth to unnecessary germs but also can chip or crack your veneers.
- Wear Oral Protection Gear – Always wear a mouthguard when playing a contact sport. All it takes is one quick impact to the face to leave you with chipped or cracked veneers.
- Quit Grinding – Bruxism, or grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep, is very bad for veneers. Bruxism is often fixed by sleeping with a mouth guard, but it does require a trip to the dentist for a professional diagnosis and prescription.
Are Veneers Right For You?
Anyone can make veneers last their full lifespan with the right dental habits. If you’re interested in learning more about dental veneers or would like to see if you are a candidate, Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry in Suffolk County can help. We offer expert dental advice and treatments, as well as a high level of customization for every patient.
A visit to Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry can help you decide if dental veneers are the right choice for you and your smile. Call us today to schedule a one-on-one consultation.
Additional Resources on Veneers:
- WebMd, Dental Health and Veneers, https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/veneers#1
- Colgate.com, How Long Do Veneers Last? https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/veneers/how-long-do-veneers-last-0515
