Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment. They are an effective way to instantly cover up a wide range of smile-related imperfections, including misshapen teeth, gaps between teeth, and yes, even tooth discoloration that does not respond to professional teeth whitening treatments. If you’re thinking of talking to a cosmetic dentist about getting porcelain veneers, you might be wondering if they could develop yellowish discoloration like real teeth.
Do porcelain veneers get yellow?
One of the many benefits of dental veneers is that they effectively resist staining. Your natural tooth is surrounded by a hard layer of enamel. Although this enamel looks quite solid, it’s actually rather porous. This means it absorbs the pigments from foods and beverages, allowing it to acquire yellowish discoloration over time.
In contrast, dental veneers are made from porcelain. Porcelain is not a highly porous material, and so it resists stains. However, it’s still possible to acquire slight discoloration around the edges of the veneer. In addition, you can still accumulate plaque above the gum line and between the veneers, just like regular teeth.
How to keep your dental veneers looking beautiful and stain-free
You will undoubtedly want to keep your dental veneers looking beautiful and white for as long as possible. With proper care, they can resist staining for years. Always follow the cosmetic dentist’s care instructions. You should brush your teeth (including the veneers) at least twice daily using a gentle, fluoridated toothpaste. Avoid using harsh whitening toothpastes, as these can damage the veneers.
Remember to floss at least once daily to prevent plaque from accumulating along the gum line and around the edges of the veneers and teeth. In addition, schedule a routine check-up and cleaning every six months to have plaque and tartar professionally removed. Your dentist may also recommend swishing with a fluoridated mouth rinse once or twice daily. This can help keep the enamel strong and prevent cavities from marring your beautiful smile.
You might also want to consider drinking pigmented beverages, like coffee and tea, with a straw. This helps reduce the amount of pigment that the veneers are exposed to. Brushing your teeth or at least drinking water immediately after consuming pigmented foods and drinks may also help ward off stains.
What to do about stained veneers
With the right care, your dental veneers can continue to look pristine and white for their lifetime. In most cases, veneers will last about 10 to 15 years. However, they are not a permanent smile solution. If your veneers are reaching the end of their lifespan, or they are looking damaged, it’s time to visit your cosmetic dentist to get them replaced.
Talk to a cosmetic dentist on Long Island about veneers
Dental veneers are one of the many cosmetic dental treatments you will find at Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry. Our practice in Huntington, Long Island specializes in smile makeovers. We believe that every person deserves a beautiful, healthy smile that gives them self-confidence. You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Nick or Dr. Elliot to determine whether porcelain veneers might be a good choice for your smile imperfections.
We’ll fully explain the treatment and answer all of your questions so that you can make an informed choice for your wellness. During your visit, we can also help you consider alternative treatments so you can evaluate all of your options before making a decision. Schedule your appointment today by calling our friendly staff.
Additional resources on dental veneers:
- Colgate, Veneers, https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/veneers
- Healthline, What to Know Before You Get Dental Veneers, https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-veneers
