Dental veneers are wafer-thin shells that fit comfortably on the visible sides of your teeth. They look exactly like your natural teeth, except they are free of blemishes and imperfections. With porcelain veneers, you can effectively eliminate the appearance of stubborn stains, chips, gaps, and misshapen or uneven teeth. And since they are made from composite resin, they can effectively resist staining. However, they aren’t entirely impervious to discoloration. The following tips can help.
Follow recommended oral hygiene practices
Brushing and flossing is a great way to keep your smile both beautiful and healthy. Yet, many people still don’t brush at least twice daily, and far more fail to floss every day—or at all. Brushing helps remove surface stains and the food debris that can cause discoloration. You should brush for at least two minutes at least twice daily.
It can be tempting to brush aggressively in an attempt to keep your teeth and dental veneers as white as possible. However, this is not good for your oral health. Brushing aggressively can damage your gums and even cause them to recede away from your teeth and veneers. Instead, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle strokes.
To keep discoloration at bay, get into the habit of gently brushing your teeth after each time you drink coffee, tea, or wine, or eat pigmented foods like berries and marinara sauce. However, if you consume something acidic (such as soda, marinara, and citrus), you should wait about 20 minutes before brushing. This is because acids soften the enamel on your teeth and brushing too soon can encourage it to erode. The acids won’t affect the veneers, of course, but the veneers do not cover your entire tooth—so exercise caution.
Schedule routine dentist visits
Did you know that visiting your dentist for preventive cleaning is one of the most effective ways of maintaining a beautiful, white smile? It’s recommended that patients schedule a check-up and professional cleaning at least every six months.
During your visit, your dental hygienist will use professional tools and techniques to scrape away hardened tartar and remove surface stains from your natural tooth enamel and dental veneers. It’s simply impossible to get these results using over-the-counter products.
Visit the cosmetic dentists in Long Island
Dental veneers are effective at resisting stains, but they won’t last forever. In most cases, patients find they need to replace them after five to seven years. If you’re thinking of replacing your dental veneers or you’re interested in getting them for the first time, you can visit the experienced team at Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry in Long Island, Suffolk County.
We emphasize the value of patient education for helping them achieve the beautiful, healthy smiles they deserve. Schedule a one-on-one consultation with a cosmetic dentist by contacting us.
Additional Resources:
- Colgate, Can You Whiten Veneers? https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/veneers/can-you-whiten-veneers-0117
- Healthline, What to Know Before You Get Dental Veneers, https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-veneers
