7 Secrets to Keeping Your Veneers Looking Great

You’ll love how you look after you get veneers from Dr. Yasi Sabour at The Dental Studio. But how can you keep your new smile bright, white, and beautiful? We’ll share seven secrets that will keep your porcelain veneers looking gorgeous for years (and even decades) to come.

1. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits

So, how long do dental veneers last? The answer mostly depends on how well you care for your new teeth. With good oral hygiene, veneers can easily last a decade, and many patients are able to keep their veneers for 15+ years. And it all starts with the basics:

• Brush at least twice per day with fluoride toothpaste

• Clean both your veneers and natural teeth thoroughly

• Rinse once daily with fluoride mouthwash

• Floss or use a water flosser once per day to remove food particles

• Come to The Dental Studio every six months for a checkup and cleaning

2. Don’t Smoke, Vape, Or Use Any Other Tobacco Product

If you want to keep your teeth healthy and your dental veneers in great shape, you should avoid using any type of tobacco or nicotine, including:

• Cigarettes, cigars, and pipes

• Vapes of any type

• Chewing tobacco, snus, or any other type of pipeless tobacco

• Nicotine pouches (Zyns)

Using any kind of tobacco or nicotine product massively raises your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, both of which can damage your veneers. And while veneers are stain-resistant, your natural teeth can still become discolored if you smoke, vape, or use smokeless tobacco products.

3. Reduce Your Intake of Staining and Sugary Drinks

Veneers are designed for lasting aesthetics, so they're made from ceramic porcelain that will never stain. However, your teeth without veneers can still be stained by lots of different things including:

• Coffee

• Tea

• Wine

• Cola and soda

• Sports drinks

• Energy drinks

Cutting back on these drinks – especially if they have lots of sugar – will help prevent stains and decay in your remaining natural teeth. This, in turn, helps keep your smile looking great.

4. Use A Straw to Drink Your Favorite Beverages

Can’t quit your iced coffee habit or give up a glass of wine after a long day at work? We understand. You don’t have to cut these drinks out entirely! But if you want to keep your veneers in better shape, consider using a straw to drink your favorite beverages.

Using a straw helps minimize contact with your teeth, reducing the risk of staining and tooth decay. Rinsing or brushing your teeth after you finish your drink will also help!

5. Don’t Chew Hard Foods with Your Front Teeth

Veneers are very strong. But they're still not ideal for biting into and chewing extremely hard foods. Over time, they can wear down or even break, just like natural teeth. You should try to use your back teeth to bite into and chew foods such as:

• Nuts like almonds and peanuts

• Popcorn (and unpopped kernels)

• Extremely tough, crusty bread

• Raw vegetables like carrots, apples, and celery

You should also avoid chewing ice! Since it’s so cold and so hard, chewing ice can easily damage both your natural teeth and your veneers.

6. Get A Nightguard If You Grind Your Teeth

If you know that you tend to clench and grind your teeth at night, a custom nightguard from The Dental Studio is a must. While veneers are very durable and strong, they will become damaged over time if you clench and grind your teeth frequently.

Our custom-fitted nightguards provide excellent protection, fit into your mouth perfectly, and won’t affect your sleep. Get in touch to book a visit and make sure you keep your veneers in great shape!

7. Never Use Your Teeth As “Tools”

Your teeth are meant for chewing food. Not for ripping tape, opening packages, holding small objects like scissors or nails during DIY projects, or popping bottle caps.  

These types of things can easily damage your veneers and your natural teeth, too. So if you tend to use your teeth as tools, break the habit – or else you’re very likely to break your veneers instead.

Transform Your Teeth at The Dental Studio

With proper maintenance, veneers will look amazing for 10-15 years or even longer. And with these care tips, you’ll be set up for success. Not sure if veneers are right for you? Schedule your visit with Dr. Sabour at The Dental Studio today to learn more about your options for cosmetic dentistry in Flower Mound!

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