Getting porcelain veneers can help improve your smile in many ways. You can get veneers to repair a chipped tooth or to make your teeth more even. While porcelain veneers can last for many years, how you take care of them will ultimately determine their lifespan. Here are tips for taking care of your porcelain veneers once your dentist has placed them on your teeth.

Protect the resin

The resin that bonds your porcelain veneers to your natural teeth is very strong, but it is still susceptible to stains and wear. You can protect the resin by avoiding staining drinks, such as wine, coffee, and cola. Alcoholic beverages in general will soften your resin over time, which can increase the risk of your veneers becoming loose. Use a toothpaste designed for smiles that have porcelain veneers so you can avoid abrading your resin over time with a gritty or harsh toothpaste. Your dentist can refer you to a gentle toothpaste brand.

Treat them like regular teeth

Porcelain is strong, but it can crack, chip, and break just like your normal teeth do, especially if the resin has been weakened over time. Avoid chomping on hard foods, such as popcorn kernels and certain candies. Taffy and other chewy foods can cause your veneers to come loose, so eat these items with caution. Make sure you brush and floss your teeth regularly, since the surrounding tissue around your veneers is still susceptible to plaque and bacteria.

If you want to protect your porcelain veneers at night, wear a custom mouth guard to bed. This is something your dentist can provide for you, especially if you tend to grind your teeth in your sleep.

Visit the dentist who placed them for checkups

If you have porcelain veneers and have access to the dentist who performed your procedure, see them for your regular checkups. This ensures that you are working with hygienists who know how to properly clean teeth with veneers. Your dentist can also periodically check the insertion site(s) to make sure the resin is still strong, there are no stains, and that your tissue surround the veneers is still healthy.

With proper care, your veneers should last for 10 years or more. The way you take care of your porcelain veneers will be the determining factor in how long they last. If you have any questions about further care your veneers may need, a dentist like Pike Dentistry will be able to answer your concerns for you.