Tips To Prevent Porcelain Veneer Discoloration
Posted on: 20 June 2017
If you want porcelain veneers, then you may wonder how to take care of the tooth coverings properly. Staining may be something that you are worried about, especially since veneers are typically adhered for aesthetic purposes. If you want to understand a bit more about staining and how it can be prevented, keep reading to learn about a few tips.
Stay Away From Whitening Toothpastes
Dental veneers made from porcelain are completely free of pores and openings. This means that they cannot hold on to stains the same way that enamel can. This is a positive thing if you liked to consume wine, tea, coffee, or any other food items that can easily stain the dental enamel. In other words, you do not need to worry about the foods you eat and how they come into contact with the veneers.
Some people who are overly concerned about staining may make the mistake of using whitening toothpaste to prevent a yellow or brown appearance across the veneers. However, this is something that should be avoided. Whitening toothpastes have abrasives in them that can wear away the porcelain. Over time, this can thin the material. When the porcelain thins out, the natural teeth can start to show through. This can give the veneers a brown or yellow tint.
Whitening toothpastes can also create small grooves in the porcelain where coloring agents can gather. While the stains can typically be removed fairly easily by brushing, flossing, and rinsing, they can make your veneers look more yellow than they actually are.
Invest in Regular Cleanings
While dental veneers do not stain in the traditional sense, they can form a layer of plaque and tartar like the natural teeth. Tartar can especially make the teeth look yellow once it solidifies on the teeth. The only way to remove tartar is through a professional dental cleaning, so make sure one is completed about once every six months.
Dental cleanings will typically reduce the yellow appearance of the teeth. If you still see a bit of a dull tone, then you can have the porcelain veneers polished. Polishing is a professional procedure that can bring back the shiny luster to the veneers. Keep in mind that polishing can only be completed if the veneers are not old or too much of the porcelain may be removed during the polishing process.
If you want to know more about veneers, ask your dental professional for more information.
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