Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular choices for achieving a perfect smile. These cosmetic veneers are thin customized shells that are bonded to the outer surface of the teeth. Stained or discolored, crooked, chipped or fractured, and irregularly spaced teeth are some of the common reasons people choose cosmetic porcelain veneers. They are highly effective and a permanent solution for a bright smile. No special efforts are required to take care of veneers. Only a few simple precautions can ensure that they give you a beautiful smile for several years.
A common question that is generally associated with veneers is, ‘Can Porcelain Veneers Stain?’ So let’s understand why these veneers stain and what needs to be done in order to keep them stain-free.
Why and How Do Porcelain Veneers Stain?
Porcelain veneers are not porous like your natural teeth and hence they do not stain as easily as your teeth do. They are generally coated with a stain-resistant resin which helps keep them white for a longer duration as compared to your natural teeth. However, if this protective resin is damaged or wears away, the veneers become vulnerable to staining. Mentioned below are some of the reasons which can damage and stain the porcelain material or the resin of the veneers.
- Using toothpaste with abrasive particles wears down the outer coating of the veneers.
- Brushing with excessive pressure or not using a brush with soft bristles can scratch the surface of the veneers.
- Consuming acidic beverages and foods such as sodas, lemons, etc. can wear down the anti-staining resin.
- Chewing hard and crunchy foods like candies or ice can chip or roughen the surface of the porcelain material.
- Exerting excessive pressure on teeth by using them as a tool for non-food and hard objects can crack the porcelain surface.
- Consuming alcohol in excess can soften the surface of the resin used to bond veneers with the teeth.
- Cigarette smoke can stain the composite material used for bonding the veneers to the teeth. With continuous smoking, the composite may become discolored which gives a brown or a yellow tinge to the edges of the teeth. Besides, the sticky tar and other compounds in cigarettes cling to the surface of the teeth giving the veneers a discolored look.
- Foods or beverages like coffee, wine, berries, etc. can stain the outer edges of the teeth and even affect the resin of the veneers if consumed in excess.
How to Protect the Veneers From Staining?
With these simple practices, you can ensure that your veneers give you a bright smile for several years:
- Practice good oral hygiene every single day. Brush with non-abrasive toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft bristles. Follow it with flossing and rinsing. Use an antiseptic and alcohol-free mouthwash for rinsing.
- Avoid chewing on excessively hard food or materials.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit consumption of foods and beverages with staining properties.
- Visit your dentist regularly to protect your teeth and veneers.
If you want to learn more about how to care about your veneers or are interested in getting them and have any queries, get in touch with us at Coral Dental Care. Our experienced team will help you understand everything about a perfect and healthy smile. Schedule an appointment today.
Dr. Anu Isaac, DMD, runs a successful dental practice in Salem, MA. Dr. Isaac strives for quality on a daily basis and this commitment to quality is reflected in her constant pursuit of advanced training. Her firm belief that even experts need to stay updated about what’s new in the dental field, enables her to provide every patient with optimal oral care. As the founder of Coral Dental Care, she is dedicated to creating healthy, beautiful smiles for her patients and also to educating dental and non-dental community with her engaging articles on all things related to oral health,recent dental innovations, and latest treatment modalities.