Nice Teeth Aren’t An Accident

Posted on: 14 July 2016

If you have recently had veneers installed in your mouth, the last thing you want is for your veneers to get stained or start to look dull. Veneers are expensive, and you don't want to have to replace them for cosmetic reasons. Here are a few tips that will help you keep your new veneers looking white and shiny for the long-term.

Ditch The Whitening Toothpaste

The first thing you need to do to keep your veneers nice and shiny white is to ditch the whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpastes contain abrasive material in them that helps remove build-up from your normal teeth. However, that same abrasive material that keeps your natural teeth white can scratch you veneers and make them appear more dull. Stick to toothpaste that does not have any whitening capacity when you have veneers. You should also make sure that you are using toothpastes that do not contain any additional abrasive material; you don't want to unintentionally harm your teeth. Ask a dentist, such as Aaron G Birch, DDS PC, for suggestions for non-abrasive toothpastes. 

That also means you should avoid using home teeth whitening kits on your veneers. Those kits are designed for natural teeth, and could actually harm your veneers and make them appear duller instead of making them appear more white like they do on your natural teeth. 

Avoid Drinks That Stain Your Teeth

It is best to avoid drinks that stain your teeth, such as red wine as well as tea and coffee drinks.

If you consume these drinks, try to use a straw. Using a straw will direct the liquids to the back of your throat, bypassing your teeth and the potential for them to stain your veneers. If you don't have access to a straw, try to brush your teeth as soon as possible after consuming these teeth staining beverages to avoid your veneers and the adhesive that holds them in place from becoming stained. 

Get Your Veneers Polished

You should get your veneers polished on a regular basis. You should have them cleaned and polished every six months when you go in for your regular cleaning and check-up.

However, make sure that the dental assistant who cleans your teeth knows that you have veneers. Veneers require a different cleaning process than the rest of your teeth. The dental assistant needs to use non-abrasive polishes on your veneers instead of the abrasive polishes that they will use on your natural teeth.

If you follow the steps above, your veneers should look white and shiny for a long time to come.