What should I avoid biting?
Porcelain is strong under pressure and weak against a twist. Keep ice, nuts in the shell, pits, hard candy, pens, nails and packaging away from your veneers. A small chip can sometimes be smoothed or patched with composite (a tooth-colored resin). A cracked veneer, or one that has come loose, is usually remade.
Are there foods to avoid?
- Very sticky food (caramel, toffee) pulls at the edge of a veneer and lodges between teeth, where decay can start under the ceramic.
- Coffee, black tea and red wine leave porcelain unchanged but, over years, stain the cement line at its edge and the teeth beside it; rinse with water afterward.
- Temporary veneers are plastic and stain easily; go light on colored food and drink while you wear them.
- Acidic drinks soften the enamel (the hard outer layer) of natural teeth; keep them to mealtimes.
Ordinary hot and cold food is fine.
Does smoking affect veneers?
Yes. Smoke stains the cement line and neighboring teeth, and it harms the gums, which decides how a veneer looks at the gumline. Vaping stains less but still dries the mouth and irritates the gum.
How do I brush and floss with veneers?
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft brush; after acidic food or drink, wait half an hour.
- Use a low-abrasion toothpaste; whitening pastes often contain coarse particles that dull porcelain.
- Floss daily, sliding the floss out sideways rather than snapping it up past the veneer edge; a water flosser adds to floss.
- A fluoride mouthwash without alcohol protects the natural tooth around the veneer.
Why does the gum matter so much?
Plaque left at the edge of a veneer inflames the gum, which reddens, bleeds and over time recedes, exposing the margin where the ceramic meets the tooth: one of the usual reasons a veneer stops looking natural. If your gums bleed when you brush, keep brushing and book a visit. Early inflammation (gingivitis) usually settles with a professional cleaning and better home care. Established gum disease needs deep cleaning (scaling and root planing, the cleaning below the gumline), which Dr. Tetri plans as a periodontist, a dentist trained in the gums and the bone around the teeth: see deep cleaning.
How often should I come in?
Check-ups at the interval we set for you, often every six months and more often after gum disease, mean problems are found while they are small. A hygiene visit with veneers includes:
- Removing tartar with an ultrasonic scaler (a vibrating tip that breaks up tartar), on settings that are kind to porcelain.
- Removing soft plaque and stain with Airflow, a spray of water, air and fine powder.
- Checking each margin, the bite and the gum, then polishing gently.
What if I grind my teeth?
Grinding and clenching (bruxism) is a frequent reason veneers chip or come loose. If you wake with a tired jaw or someone hears you grinding at night, ask about a night guard: a thin custom acrylic guard that takes the load instead of the ceramic. We make it to fit over the veneers and you can bring it to your hygiene visits to be checked. Our bruxism page explains the signs and the options.
Questions patients ask
Can veneers be whitened?
No, porcelain keeps its color under bleaching. Natural teeth can be whitened, so we choose the veneer shade with that in mind.
How long do veneers last?
That is answered, with each step of getting veneers, in Do veneers hurt?
When to call us
Call 786-320-5445 if a veneer chips, loosens or feels rough, if a gum bleeds or swells beside one, or if a tooth under a veneer becomes sensitive or aches.