Dental Veneers Aftercare: How to Keep Your Veneers Looking Their Best
Dental veneers are a popular way to improve the appearance of your smile, and with the right care they can look great and last for many years. Whether you have chosen porcelain or composite veneers, the way you look after them day to day makes a real difference to how long they last and how good they continue to look. This guide covers dental veneers aftercare in full, from the first few days after treatment through to keeping them bright and protected for the long term.
The First Few Days After Getting Veneers
It is normal to need a short adjustment period after your veneers are placed. Some people notice mild sensitivity to hot and cold, or that their bite feels slightly different at first, and this usually settles within a few days. For the first day or two, it helps to stick to softer foods and to avoid anything very hard or chewy while you get used to them. If your bite still feels off after a few days, or anything feels sharp, let us know so we can check it and make any small adjustments.
Cleaning Your Veneers Every Day
Caring for veneers is much like caring for your natural teeth. Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and a non abrasive fluoride toothpaste, and floss gently once a day to keep the edges of your veneers and your gums healthy. Good daily cleaning protects the natural tooth underneath and helps prevent decay around the veneer, which is exactly what keeps everything looking and feeling its best.
Foods and Habits to Be Careful With
Veneers are strong, but they are not indestructible. It is wise to go easy on very hard foods like ice, hard lollies and nuts, and to avoid biting directly into hard items with your front teeth. It also helps to break a few common habits, such as chewing pens, biting your nails, or using your teeth to open packaging, since these put unnecessary stress on your veneers and can cause chips over time.
Protecting Your Veneers From Damage
If you play sport, a custom mouthguard is well worth it to protect both your veneers and your natural teeth from knocks. If you grind or clench your teeth at night, which many people do without realising, a night guard can shield your veneers from the extra wear that grinding causes. If you are not sure whether grinding might be affecting you, just ask us, as it is easy to check at your next visit.
Keeping Your Veneers Bright
One thing worth knowing is that veneers do not respond to teeth whitening the way natural teeth do, so the best way to keep them looking their best is to limit what stains them. Coffee, tea, red wine and richly coloured foods like curry can gradually stain composite veneers in particular, while porcelain is more stain resistant. Rinsing with water after these, and keeping up your regular cleans, goes a long way. If you are ever thinking about teeth whitening, it is best done before veneers, so your natural teeth and your veneers can be matched to the shade you want.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
With good care, porcelain veneers commonly last around 10 to 15 years or more, while composite veneers tend to have a shorter lifespan and may need refreshing sooner. The habits in this guide make a genuine difference to how long yours will last. Over time, a veneer can occasionally chip or come loose, and if that happens it is important to see us promptly so we can repair or replace it and protect the natural tooth underneath.
Veneer Aftercare Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Brush twice a day with a soft brush and a non abrasive toothpaste.
- Floss gently once a day around the edges of your veneers.
- Wear a mouthguard for sport and a night guard if you grind.
- Rinse with water after coffee, tea, wine or richly coloured foods.
- Keep up your regular check ups and professional cleans.
Don't
- Bite hard items like ice, hard lollies or your fingernails.
- Use your teeth to open packaging or bottles.
- Use gritty, charcoal or harsh whitening toothpastes.
- Ignore a chipped or loose veneer. Book in promptly.
- Skip your regular dental visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I whiten my veneers?
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No. Veneers do not respond to teeth whitening the way natural teeth do, so their shade stays the same. This is why whitening is best done on your natural teeth before veneers are made, so everything can be matched. If you want a brighter look later, the veneers would need to be replaced.
How long do dental veneers last?
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With good care, porcelain veneers commonly last around 10 to 15 years or more, while composite veneers tend to have a shorter lifespan and may need refreshing sooner. How well you look after them makes a genuine difference to how long they last.
Can veneers get cavities?
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The veneer itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth underneath still can if it is not kept clean. That is why daily brushing and flossing, along with regular check ups, are so important for protecting the tooth beneath the veneer.
What toothpaste should I use with veneers?
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Use a non abrasive fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. It is best to avoid harsh, gritty, charcoal or strong whitening toothpastes, as these can dull the surface of veneers over time.
What should I do if a veneer chips or falls off?
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Keep the veneer if you can, avoid chewing on that side, and contact us promptly. Seeing us soon lets us repair or replace the veneer and protect the natural tooth underneath from damage or sensitivity.
Can I eat normally with veneers?
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For the most part, yes. Just avoid biting very hard items like ice, hard lollies or nuts directly with your front teeth, and try not to use your teeth as tools. A little care with hard foods goes a long way to keeping your veneers intact.
We provide dental veneers and cosmetic dental treatments to patients from Kallangur and the surrounding suburbs, including Murrumba Downs, Petrie, Griffin, Dakabin, Mango Hill, North Lakes and beyond.
Questions about caring for your veneers?
Whether you already have veneers or are thinking about them, our team is happy to help. Book online whenever it suits you, or get in touch with our Kallangur team.
Book a ConsultationThis article is general information only and is not a substitute for personalised dental advice. Care recommendations can vary between patients, so please follow the specific guidance your dentist gives you.