If you’ve just received veneers to enhance your smile, congratulations—your new and improved pearly whites are certain to boost your quality of life and open plenty of doors to exciting opportunities! However, you might be wondering if there’s anything you can do to truly make the most out of your veneers and set them up for lasting success; they unfortunately won’t last forever. Keep reading to learn more about veneers and some of the best practices for helping them withstand Father Time.
A Closer Look at the Lifespan of Veneers
Veneers are typically made from a durable porcelain material that can be matched perfectly to the shade of your smile. Using modern technology, these thin sheets can be shaped and molded to perfectly resemble natural-looking teeth—meaning that once they’re bonded, your smile will immediately improve in both appearance and functionality.
But as fantastic as they are, veneers unfortunately aren’t designed to be a permanent or lasting solution. Even with proper care and consistent oral hygiene, their lifespan tends to max out at around 15 years or so. This longevity also depends greatly on where the veneers were placed, in addition to how well you take care of them.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Veneers
Fortunately, there are several ways you can ensure your veneers last for as long as possible. Consider the following tips and practices:
- Practice excellent oral hygiene – One of the best ways to maintain clean and healthy teeth, and by proxy, pristine veneers, is by regularly brushing, flossing and rinsing your mouth.
- Maintain a healthy diet – While you’ll still be able to enjoy most foods, you should still show some caution around particularly hard or crunchy items—one wrong bite might damage one of your veneers! Also avoid foods and drinks that are known to cause staining; your veneers can still become discolored and dampen your grin.
- Avoid poor oral habits – Bad habits like smoking, nail-biting and using your teeth as tools are certain to compromise your veneers and oral health alike.
- Visit your dentist regularly – By scheduling routine preventive care, your dentist can ensure that your veneers remain uncompromised and resilient.
Your veneers are an investment in both your smile and your livelihood; by taking great care of them, you can set them up for several years of success which will undoubtedly brighten your life!
About the Practice
Our team here at Pinnacle Dental is thrilled to serve the dental needs of patients and families in the Braintree, MA community. We’re pleased to offer a wide range of services, including several cosmetic treatment options such as veneers. If you’re curious about receiving veneers or you have any questions about the article, you’re more than welcome to contact us online or by phone for additional information or to schedule a visit: (781) 412-1412.