Can You Whiten Veneers?

Veneers can help you achieve the smile of our dreams, but not so much when they're stained and discolored. Veneers are built to maintain their hardiness and sheen, but without proper care, they can get stained and dull.

Stains or discoloration on your veneers defeat the purpose of having them in the first place. But could you whiten them and return their former luster instead of replacing them? Well, keep reading to find out.

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What Causes Veneer Discoloration?

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A new set of veneers is as white as snow, instantly giving you a beautiful white smile. However, with time, they tend to get discolored because of:

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Highly Pigmented Drinks

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Continued exposure to pigmented drinks like coffee, tea, or red wine can cause discoloration or stains on your veneers. You can avoid this discoloration by brushing your teeth immediately after drinking these beverages or using a straw to direct the liquid directly to your throat.

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Age-Related Staining

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Our gums naturally recede as we age, exposing the areas where the veneers meet our teeth. This creates brown lines because the new gumline exposes the composite that bonded the veneer in place.

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Trauma to the Tooth

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Damage to the inner tooth may give the veneer a discolored look. The dentin turns yellow when damaged from trauma. This yellowing is visible through the veneers, making them look stained even when they're not.

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Can You Whiten Stained Veneers?

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Unfortunately, you cannot whiten veneers with regular teeth whitening techniques. Unlike enamel, veneers are made from porcelain or composite material and don't respond to whitening agents. However, thorough cleaning by a qualified cosmetic dentist in Mauldin can help remove the layer of pigment and restore your veneers to a bright white. But age-related veneer discoloration is irreversible.

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When Should You Replace Your Veneers?

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Sometimes, dental cleaning will do little or nothing to whiten your veneers and remove discoloration. If that's the case, you'll have to replace your veneers. A dentist can usually assess the state of your veneers and decide whether you should clean or replace them.

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How to Maintain Your Veneers to Avoid Discoloration

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Proper veneer care keeps discoloration at bay and improves the longevity of your veneers. Here's how to properly care for your veneers:

Brush your teeth daily: Regular brushing is one of the best ways to protect your veneers from discoloration. Doing so removes the pigment that sticks to and stains your veneers.

Rinse your mouth with fluoride: Fluoride keeps the teeth beneath veneers strong and healthy to protect against trauma from impact and cavity-causing bacteria.

Floss daily: Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles that stick between your veneers and cause decay. Doing so won't pull off your veneers, so floss as much as you want.

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Clean, White Veneers for a Brighter Smile!

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Veneers stain over time, but you can maintain their bright, white hue with proper oral care. Regular dental visits also ensure your veneers remain strong and stain-free for years.

Contact Indigo Dental for professional and expedient veneer care. Our Mauldin dentists specialize in veneers and other cosmetic dentistry procedures to ensure you have a bright, beautiful smile.

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