If you’ve recently received veneers, you’re probably feeling pretty ecstatic to finally have the picture-perfect smile that you’ve always dreamed of! And better yet, your new smile is certain to boost your quality of life and open all sorts of doors to new and exciting opportunities. But you might be wondering what you can do to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your new veneers; though they are surprisingly resilient, they aren’t meant to last forever. Here’s more from your dentist about veneers and their expected lifespan, along with some tips to help you keep yours in great shape.
A Closer Look at Veneers & Their Lifespan
To understand how you can fully maximize the potential of your veneers, it’s helpful to know a little bit about them and their expected lifespan. Veneers are often made from durable dental porcelain, which can be colored to perfectly match the shade of your natural teeth. Once they’ve been bonded to the outer surfaces of teeth, patients unlock an immediately improved smile in terms of appearance and functionality to a certain degree.
But veneers aren’t designed to last forever; though robust and enduring, their lifespan tends to max out around 15 years or so. That’s not to say they can’t be replaced after a while—in fact, teeth that have been treated for veneers must always have the coverings on them, for their protection. But the fact of the matter is that factors such as where the veneers were placed combined with the lifestyle habits of the patient, ultimately determine just how long they’ll remain intact.
Tips for Making Your Veneers Last
The bottom line is that with a little knowledge and diligent maintenance, you can easily get several years out of your new veneers. Consider the following tips:
- Practice outstanding oral hygiene – This is arguably the best way to ensure that your veneers (and natural teeth alike) remain healthy and resilient. Brush, floss, and use an antibacterial mouthwash daily.
- Eat a healthy diet – It’s always wise to eat a healthy diet to boost your oral health, but you should also consider showing caution around hard or crunchy foods. One wrong bite might damage one of your veneers if you aren’t careful.
- Avoid items known to cause teeth staining – Your veneers can become stained, just like your natural teeth. That said, you should try to reduce your intake of foods and drinks that are known to cause staining. Things like coffee, tea, red wines and sauces, etc. are all problematic.
- Avoid other poor oral habits – Unfavorable oral habits like smoking, nail-biting, and using your teeth as tools can compromise your veneers and also risk oral injury. Even excessive alcohol consumption can weaken the material used to bond your veneers.
- Visit your dentist regularly – Your dentist is a valuable ally to ensure that your veneers remain functional and beautiful. They can also help you replace them when and if the time comes!
About the Practice
The team at Silver Creek Dentistry is ready to assist patients and families in the Ripon, WI area with all of their dental needs! They’re thrilled to offer a wide range of cosmetic services including veneers to help you achieve the beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to arrange a visit, you can contact the practice online or over the phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (920) 748-7200.