How to care for porcelain veneers

How do you care for porcelain veneers?

The ADA's MouthHealthy page lists the care in four steps: avoid biting your nails and chewing hard objects or foods, wear a mouthguard during sports or activities that could injure your mouth, limit staining foods and drinks such as coffee, tea and red wine, and brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth daily. Cleveland Clinic says regular brushing, flossing and dental visits are important. In short, veneers need the same daily care as natural teeth, plus a few habits to avoid.

Why do veneers still need good oral hygiene?

Cleveland Clinic lists possible decay in the natural tooth underneath as a risk of veneers, and the ADA says cavities can still form under or around a veneer. The veneer covers the front of the tooth, but the edges and the gum line remain natural, which is where plaque collects. The ADA also says veneers placed over untreated decay or gum disease may worsen those problems, so gum health matters before and after.

What should you avoid?

The ADA says to avoid biting your nails and chewing hard objects or foods. Cleveland Clinic lists a veneer falling off or dislodging as a risk, and the ADA says veneers may chip, crack, wear down or loosen. Chewing ice, pens or very hard food puts a thin shell under force. The ADA also says clenching, grinding or a deep overbite may make veneers a poor choice, and a night guard is something to ask your dentist about if you grind, which is general advice and flagged.

Do veneers stain?

The ADA advises limiting coffee, tea and red wine, which suggests that veneers can pick up stain, although the page does not say how readily porcelain stains compared with composite. Cleveland Clinic's discoloration page says coffee, tea, berries, red wine and soy sauce can stain teeth over time. A dental cleaning removes surface stain, and our guides on tooth discoloration cover the causes.

How do you whiten porcelain veneers?

The sources we read do not describe how to whiten veneers at home or naturally. Healthline's page on whitening strips, which we cite elsewhere, says existing fillings, crowns, bridges and implants will not change color, and does not name veneers. Our reasoning is that bleaching products are unlikely to change the color of porcelain, and that your natural teeth may whiten and no longer match, and that a dentist should advise before you try. The dentist matches the veneer shade to your natural teeth, as the ADA says, so whitening afterwards can make them differ.

Should you wear a mouthguard?

The ADA says to wear a mouthguard during sports or activities that could injure your mouth. A custom guard protects veneers and natural teeth from a knock, which is general reasoning. If you grind your teeth at night, our guides on night guards and on teeth grinding explain what a dentist may suggest.

What if a veneer comes off or chips?

Neither source gives step-by-step advice for a lost veneer. The ADA says veneers may chip, crack, wear down or loosen, requiring repair or replacement. Keep the veneer if it comes off, avoid eating on that side, and call your dentist, which is general advice and flagged. Do not glue it back yourself.

How often should you see your dentist?

Cleveland Clinic says regular dental visits are important. Neither source gives an interval. Our guide on how often to get your teeth cleaned covers frequency. The dentist can check the margins of each veneer, look for decay and check your bite.

Questions to ask your dentist

Take these to your check-up.

• How should I clean around my veneers?
• Do I need a night guard or sports guard?
• Can my natural teeth be whitened to match?
• What should I do if a veneer loosens?
• How often should you check them?

Frequently asked questions