Porcelain veneers can take your smile from looking okay to looking amazing. With its power to straighten, whiten, and change the shape of your teeth, you’re never going to want your amazing results to end. In order to ensure you get to enjoy your beautiful new smile for as long as possible, it’s important to take the proper steps to prolong the lifespan of your porcelain veneers after receiving the treatment from Palencia Dental in St. Augustine, FL.

curly haired woman shows off her bright, white smile

Why Prolong the Lifespan of Your Veneers

You might wonder just how long porcelain veneers last anyways. Most porcelain veneers can last anywhere from 15 to 25 years with proper care. It’s not a secret that porcelain veneers are on the more costly side of cosmetic dentistry treatments. If you want to protect your investment and enjoy your gorgeous smile for as long as possible, it’s important to follow our aftercare tips to extend the lifespan of your veneers, otherwise, you will have to replace them much sooner.

Avoid Tobacco Products

Smoking or using any type of tobacco products can have a huge impact on your porcelain veneers. Fortunately, dental porcelain is stain resistant so you don’t have to worry about staining if you use tobacco products. However, the tar and nicotine can stick to the bonding material used to attach your veneers to your teeth. This might result in a brownish or yellow color appearing around the edges of your veneers if you continue to use tobacco products after getting your veneers.

In addition to these yellow and brown spots, tobacco products can also impact your oral health. Using tobacco products increases your risk of gum disease which can result in gum recession, tooth loss, and jawbone degeneration. If your oral health is poor, it can cause your veneers to fail.

Wear a Night Guard or Mouth Guard if Necessary

Just like your natural teeth, your veneers can become damaged if you clench or grind your teeth. If you’re prone to bruxism, make sure you don’t skip wearing a night guard at night. Otherwise, you might wake up to damaged porcelain veneers. If you play contact sports, you should also wear a mouth guard to not only protect your veneers but your underlying teeth. If your veneers become damaged in any way, you will need to have them replaced.

Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

Your teeth should never be used as tools, regardless if you have veneers or not. Using your teeth to rip open packages can severely damage them. If you have veneers and use your teeth as tools, you can damage both your teeth and your veneers. Don’t open packages, don’t bite your nails, don’t chew on pen caps or ice. Using your teeth for anything but eating can result in chips, cracks, and unrepairable damage.

Use the Right Oral Hygiene Tools

You can’t just use any toothpaste and toothbrush to care for your veneers or your teeth for that matter. You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste to prevent erosion to the porcelain. Using the right oral hygiene tools will also prevent you from harming your natural teeth and your enamel. Your oral hygiene tools should gently clean your veneers and that’s it.

Brush and Floss Regularly

It’s always going to be important to brush and floss your teeth regularly, especially if you have cosmetic dentistry work done like porcelain veneers. Although your veneers can’t stain, they can still accumulate plaque and bacteria on their surface. Flossing and brushing will help keep your veneers clean and your oral health great. Without regular brushing and flossing, you’re more susceptible to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. If you neglect your oral health and you get gum disease, it can cause your gums to recede and for there to be an awkward gap between your gums and veneers. Take good care of your oral health to extend the lifespan of your veneers.

Don’t Skip Dental Cleanings

Your dental cleanings are even more important now that you have sparkling new veneers. These appointments aren’t just for cleaning your teeth but checking on the health of your teeth and veneers. If there are any issues with your veneers or we notice any dental health problems, regular treatments help us catch the problems early. The earlier we catch problems, the easier it is to treat them. Don’t skip your dental cleanings if you want your veneers and teeth to stay healthy for longer!

Visit Our Cosmetic Dentist in St. Augustine For Porcelain Veneers

If you don’t already have porcelain veneers but you would like to increase your self-confidence, our cosmetic dentist is here to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kinsey at Palencia Dental today to learn how veneers can enhance your smile. Please call (904) 826-4343 to book an appointment.