Dentistry now offers a range of solutions to cosmetically enhance your smile. Whether you want your teeth straightened, whitened, or replaced, there’s an option for you available!
If you’re interested in getting veneers, or if you already have them, we’ve researched the best ways to care for them to make sure your set lasts as long as possible. This is important to keep your smile in perfect shape!
Table of Contents
What’s the Difference Between Porcelain and Composite Veneers?
Caring for Porcelain and Composite Veneers
Stay Up To Date On Dentist Visits
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are used for cosmetic treatments and can improve the color, shape, and size of your teeth. They often reshape and improve the structure of the tooth, or close up small spaces. Veneers have been in use for over half a century and though there are more modern options now, the cosmetic purpose is still the same.
Most veneers are permanent and have a life expectancy of around 10-15 years. You need to keep on top of maintenance like you would your natural teeth. However, when you have veneers you should use non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid extra damage.
What’s the Difference Between Porcelain and Composite Veneers?
If you opt for composite veneers you’ll receive a minimally invasive tooth covering created from composite resin. This sits on top of your teeth and helps to shape them into a desirable smile. Composite veneers are often used for fixing cracks or chips in teeth, as you don’t need to cover the whole tooth with resin.
When you choose composite veneers only light preparation is required. After this, your dentists will use adhesive glue to stick the resin to your teeth. Once applied, the resin will be sculpted into shape and polished.
Porcelain veneers are the type that covers the entirety of your teeth. These are the arguably more well-known type of veneers and give a perfect look. These veneers are made from thin porcelain or composite material.
Unlike composite veneers, porcelain veneers will need more preparation. Your dentist will have to file down your natural teeth to fit the veneers over the front of them. Before the final veneers are fitted, you are given temporary ones to wear. When your final veneers are ready, they are applied with adhesive glue, similar to composite veneers.
Caring for Porcelain and Composite Veneers
Here are the top tips for caring for veneers!
Keep Up Good Oral Hygiene
Once you have your new veneers, you should maintain a good oral hygiene regime. That means regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash after meals – or twice daily. Remember not to be aggressive when brushing and flossing as you don’t want to chip or crack your veneers.
Change Toothpaste
Many dentists urge you to switch toothpaste after receiving veneers. This is because porcelain can be easily damaged by abrasive toothpaste, especially if they’re gritty. Regular toothpaste is meant to remove stains on teeth, but they’re not always compatible with porcelain. Toothpaste to avoid includes charcoal, smokers’ formula whitening toothpaste, and brushing your teeth with bicarbonate soda. These all contain rough particles that will cause veneers to lose their perfect appearance.
Ask your dentist what toothpaste they recommend to be sure you’re using a safe one. Many recommend using a whitening toothpaste to keep your natural teeth white so that you don’t notice a difference between your veneers and natural teeth over time.
Avoid Tobacco Products
This habit should probably be kicked anyway, but once you have veneers you need to avoid tobacco like the plague! Smoking can cause your natural teeth and veneers to end up stained and yellow. Many get veneers because of their white appearance, so smoking is counterproductive to the procedure.
Stop Grinding Your Teeth
Dental veneers are not as strong as your natural enamel teeth. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth or even clenching your jaw, you may want to try wearing a protective splint at night. This will protect the veneers from being worn down over time. If you find that dental splints feel too bulky, you can consult your dentist and ask for a set of unique orthodontic retainers that give extra protection against chipping or grinding.
Stay Away From Certain Foods
Some foods can be harmful to your natural teeth and veneers. Chewing on hard candy or ice can cause chips or cracks on both natural teeth and veneers, so this should be avoided. On the other hand, foods and drinks that typically stain teeth (for example tea, coffee, wine, and food dyes) shouldn’t affect the color of your veneers. However, these can affect your natural teeth and cause them to become a different color to your veneers.
Stay Up To Date On Dentist Visits
There are many activities you can do to keep your veneers in tip-top shape; however, you can’t avoid dental checkups. Checking in with your dental provider will ensure they get frequent professional cleans and examinations.
Veneers don’t decay in the same way as natural teeth do, but you still need to maintain good oral hygiene and get professional care to keep your natural teeth healthy as well as your gums. Keeping up to date with dental visits can also help determine when you’re ready for veneer replacements or crowns.
How Can Beautifi Help?
When you switch to veneers you need to consider how you’ll maintain them, this may sound difficult, but it’s actually very simple! Hopefully, this article has shown you that caring for veneers only takes a few day-to-day changes and in the long run you’ll have perfect teeth for longer. Whether you opt for composite veneers or porcelain veneers, the care routines are very similar and easy to follow.
The Beautifi team is always here to help when choosing a surgeon or financially planning for a cosmetic procedure. Learn how our process works or fill out an application to start your procedure journey!