Porcelain veneers are common products dentists use to fix problems with teeth. Dentists use them for fixing cracked and chipped teeth, and they use them for lengthening short teeth or filling in gaps between teeth. If you are preparing to get a dental veneer, you should find out everything you can about caring for them. With proper care, they can stay white and shiny for a very long time. Here are several things to know about veneers and how to keep them white.

They Do Not Stain Easily

The first thing to understand is that porcelain veneers are extremely strong and do not stain easily. Over time, however, they can begin staining if you drink a lot of tea, wine, and coffee. The same beverages that stain natural teeth can stain veneers; however, it typically takes longer for this to happen.

If you want to keep your veneers white, try to change some of your habits. For example, if you drink red wine, consider switching to white. White wine does not stain teeth like red wine. If possible, try to drink less coffee or tea too. If you cannot give up these drinks, drink them quickly instead of sipping on them, and always rinse your mouth out with water when you are finished.

They Can Stain Easier If The Glaze Breaks

A second thing to understand is that porcelain veneers typically have a strong glaze applied to them when they are placed in your mouth. This glaze protects them from staining, but it can be damaged. To avoid damaging it, you should never bite down on really hard things with your veneers. You should also avoid biting your nails and grinding your teeth. If you damage the glaze from these types of habits, the veneers will stain a lot easier.

A Cosmetic Dentist Might Be Able To Help

If you notice that your veneers are slowly becoming discolored, visiting a cosmetic dentist could help you find a solution. The dentist might recommend bleaching the veneers to see if this helps remove some of the stains, or he or she might suggest polishing the veneers.

If your veneers are stained to a point where nothing can be done, you may need to get them replaced. This is rare, however, especially if people take good care of their veneers after getting them.

Porcelain veneers look great and function well, and you can get them to fix a number of different problems you may have with your teeth. To learn more about these, talk to a dentist today.