Veneers keep smiles bright and youthful for longer.
If you’ve had veneers installed and now sport a flawless smile, you’ve probably wondered how best to care for them? Veneers are impressively hardy and resistant to discolouration, but care and maintenance are essential and occasionally replacement.
Dentists are commonly asked “can you whiten veneers”? The short answer is no, but there are tips for dental planning and caring for your veneers that will keep your smile white, bright and beautiful for longer.
At Hawthorn Road Family Dental, we offer expert advice and treatment for cosmetic dentistry including porcelain veneers. Contact us today to book your next consultation.
What are veneers?
Veneers are used to repair discoloured, chipped, worn down or misaligned teeth and gaps. These wafer thin, custom-made shells are bonded to the existing teeth changing their colour, size, shape or length.
Whether your veneers are Porcelain (ceramic) or Composite Resin, they are designed to enhance your teeth and smile. The ability of veneers to transform your overall aesthetic to a fresher, more youthful look, is quite astounding.
Can I avoid discolouration?
Certain foods, beverages and activities can stain our natural teeth. Some of the common culprits are coffee, tea, red wine, coloured foods and smoking. Ageing and certain medications can also have an effect. Does this same discolouration occur with veneers?
If you have porcelain veneers they should not darken as they are incredibly dense and don’t absorb stains the way our natural teeth do. If you have non-porcelain veneers (which are more affordable) it is possible they become slightly stained over time, depending on how porous the material is.
Can I whiten veneers?
Unlike our natural teeth, we do not recommend using traditional whitening treatment on veneers. Teeth whitening products cannot change the colour of the veneers – but they can change your natural teeth, which will likely result in an uneven toned smile.
Just because you can’t whiten veneers doesn’t mean you can’t maintain and improve their look. If you’re concerned about discolouration of your veneers or natural teeth, it’s a good time to book an appointment with your dentist, as professional cleaning or replacement may be an option.
Tips to care for veneers?
Like with our natural teeth, maintaining a regular brushing and flossing regime is important to stave off gum disease and protect your veneers. Try to avoid overly strong brushing that could chip your veneers.
To help your veneers stay intact, you should also be conscious of:
- not biting hard items like pens
- considering a night-time mouthguard if you grind your teeth in your sleep
- wearing a mouthguard for contact sports
It’s also important to keep up with regular dental check-ups and professional polish and cleans. Regular professional cleaning with specialised dental equipment and products assists in preserving the lifespan of your veneers.
Should I replace my veneers?
Veneers are incredibly strong, long lasting and very resistant to changing colour. However, if your veneers are decades old, it’s possible they were made with a material that is porous and more susceptible to staining.
If your veneers are no longer the same colour as your natural teeth, or have become stained, it’s likely you will need to replace them. The techniques and materials used for veneers have continued to evolve since the 1980’s, so it’s likely there have been advances since your last ones were fitted.
You will need to discuss your options for veneer replacement with your dentist. In the same appointment you could ask about teeth whitening, before any veneer replacements are attached.
Book a consult today
Veneers are a wonderful way to enhance a patients smile in a minimally invasive way. At Hawthorn Road Family Dental our team is passionate about helping our patients achieve their desired look and gain confidence with their appearance.
For porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dentistry in Melbourne, contact us today to arrange a consultation. We can assist with dental planning, treatment and maintenance that will keep you smiling for years to come.
