Hiding your smile because you are self-conscious of tooth discoloration, chips, cracks, irregular-shaped teeth, or small gaps between your teeth can be easily fixed with cosmetic dentistry and the application of porcelain veneers. These cosmetic dental appliances are very durable and stain-resistant and can give you back a smile you can be proud to share. But can porcelain veneers stain? How do you keep veneers white? Is tooth whitening an option? While veneers can still develop staining, good care can reduce this risk and keep your smile beautiful and bright. Here we take a closer look at porcelain veneers and how to keep them bright and beautiful.
Key Takeaways
- Porcelain veneers are durable and stain-resistant, but they can still become discolored over time.
- Causes of veneer discoloration include exposure to pigments, aging, aging veneers, and dental trauma.
- Traditional whitening methods won’t work on veneers, but good care and regular cleaning can help reduce the risk of staining.
- To care for veneers, follow regular brushing and flossing routines, attend dental checkups, protect them from damage, and avoid foods high in pigments.
Can veneers stain?
While veneers are more stain-resistant than your natural teeth, they can still become discolored over time. The causes of discoloration to your veneers are similar to those of your natural teeth. But the good news is, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of discoloration and keep your new veneers looking just as white and bright as when they were first bonded to your teeth.
How do veneers become discolored?
Similar to your natural teeth, your veneers can become discolored from a variety of different factors. These can include:
- Prolonged exposure to pigments: If you eat or drink foods high in pigments, such as red wine, coffee, or some spices, regular exposure to these pigments can contribute to staining and discoloration.
- Aging: As you age, your gums begin to recede, leaving exposed areas of your teeth that the veneers do not extend to. This newly exposed area of your tooth is more prone to staining and can cause a discolored line to appear at the top of your tooth, near the gumline.
- Aging veneers: If you have older veneers, they may be more porous than the newly developed porcelain veneers used today and may be more prone to staining.
- Dental trauma: If you experienced dental trauma, it may have caused damage to the underlying dentin of the tooth, leading to discoloration. Because the veneers are thin, this new discoloration may show through and affect the appearance of the veneer.
Can you whiten veneers?
When your veneers become discolored, you may be tempted to try at-home whitening kits in order to help whiten their appearance. Unfortunately, veneers do not respond to traditional whitening methods, and you will likely see no results. However, in many cases, this discoloration is nothing more than surface staining and a good cleaning with your dentist may help to improve the appearance of your veneers.
In cases where the staining does not respond to cleaning, the only option you have to restore the whiter appearance is to have your veneers removed and replaced.
How to care for veneers
The best way to reduce your risk of veneer staining is to ensure you are taking proper care of your veneers and your teeth in general. This includes following a regular brushing and flossing routine, as well as attending regular dental checkups and cleanings. If you eat or drink foods high in pigments, consider drinking with a straw to reduce the contact with your veneers, or rinse or brush your teeth after eating and drinking.
In addition, damage to your veneers and teeth can make them more prone to staining, so you must keep them protected. Wearing a mouthguard for sports or if you tend to grind your teeth is essential. Avoid biting or chewing hard foods and objects, such as pens.
Helping to keep your smile beautiful
Veneers are a wonderful way to enhance your smile and boost your self-confidence. However, while veneers help to cover up discoloration and other dental concerns, they are still prone to discoloration themselves and in order to maintain your new, beautiful smile, they must be taken care of.
We are proud to offer dental veneers at Soundview Family Dental. We understand how important a beautiful smile is and our team works with you to help extend the life of your veneers and keep them as bright and beautiful as the day they were put in place.
Contact us
To learn more about veneers, caring for your veneers, and replacement veneers, when necessary, contact the team at Soundview Family Dental today.