Six Tips on How to Care For Your Veneers

Porcelain veneers provide a quick, durable, and long-lasting fix for teeth that are chipped, misaligned, worn, discolored, or irregularly shaped. They can last for decades and are an excellent way to give your smile a makeover. At Cosmetic Dental Studios in NYC, cosmetic dentist Dr. Victoria Veytsman has helped countless women and men enjoy life-changing results with minimal prep or porcelain veneers. Dr. V. blends her artistic skills and experience to customize each experience to provide her patients with a dental veneer solution for their cosmetic imperfections. Here are the six best tips from the Cosmetic Dental Studios team on caring for your dental veneers and preserving your smile.

What do veneers do to your teeth?

No one is born with a perfect smile. Porcelain or minimal-prep veneers have gained popularity for their ability to repair or correct an array of dental issues – offering a dental solution to help with broken, stained, worn-down teeth, or small gaps. Porcelain veneers are a thin shell of semi-translucent material bonded to the surface of the tooth. They are made of durable, nonporous material, so they are stain-resistant. After a dental exam and consultation, Dr. V. will assess your dental and cosmetic needs. The porcelain veneers are then customized at a dental lab for optimal results.

Do veneers last?

Once dental veneers are in place, patients can return to their normal day. Patients may experience mild soreness after the procedure, but this can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. For about 4 – 6 weeks, there may also be a mild sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures. However, patients can enjoy their new smile right away and for several years afterward. On average, porcelain veneers can last ten years or longer. Many patients have dental veneers that still look great after 20 years. The longevity of veneers is directly related to how men and women take care of their natural teeth after veneers are put into place.

How to take care of veneers

Dental veneers are an excellent solution to restore and improve your smile. With proper care, this cosmetic option can last for a decade or more. Here are six simple tips on how to care for your veneers.

1. Wear a night guard

Bruxism is a tendency to clench or grind your teeth while sleeping. It can put undue stress on veneers and even your natural teeth, so it is advised to wear a nighttime bite guard.

2. Practice good daily hygiene

Basic oral healthcare of brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash regularly is vital for your teeth, to which your veneers are attached. If you have a solid dental hygiene routine, you won't need to change anything when taking care of porcelain veneers.

3. Regular dental visits

Routine dental checkups every six months help protect both your teeth and dental veneers. Also, your dentist or dental hygienist will professionally clean and polish your veneer surfaces to preserve them.

4. Avoid biting hard foods, etc.

Do not use your teeth as "tools" to open objects or containers. A person's natural teeth, without veneers, can be damaged by doing such acts. It is also best to avoid chewing or biting into hard foods or ice. Veneers are durable, but they can break or chip.

5. Beware of stains

Like your natural teeth, veneers can also stain. It is a good idea to keep them white and bright by limiting foods or drinks that cause discoloration, like coffee, red wine, tea, berries, soy sauce, or dark sodas. Smoking is another source that can cause yellowing or stains.

6. Protect your smile

To protect your natural teeth and veneers, be cautious when participating in physical activity or contact sports, such as football, basketball, or wrestling. It is advised that individuals wear a mouth guard.

To learn more about porcelain veneers in New York for your smile makeover, contact Cosmetic Dental Studios to schedule an online consultation or in-person consultation with cosmetic dentist Dr. Victoria Veytsman at our Midtown Manhattan office today.