Looking after veneers is much like looking after natural teeth: daily brushing and cleaning between teeth, regular check-ups, and avoiding habits that chip or stain. A few extra habits make a real difference to how long they last, especially if you grind your teeth or have composite veneers.
Daily Cleaning
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush. Pay attention to the gum line, where plaque collects at the edge of the veneer.
- Use a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste. Very gritty or “whitening” pastes can scratch composite and dull its polish. Fluoride protects the natural tooth around and behind the veneer.
- Clean between your teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes. Decay and gum disease at the edges are among the most common reasons veneers need replacing.
- Rinse with water after coffee, tea, red wine or curry, especially if you have composite veneers.
Food and Drink
You can eat normally with veneers, with a few sensible precautions:
- Avoid biting directly into very hard foods with your front teeth, such as hard lollies, ice, nuts in the shell or crusty bread. Cut them up and chew with your back teeth.
- Be careful with sticky lollies, which can pull on edges.
- Coffee, tea and red wine stain composite more than porcelain. Drinking through a straw and rinsing afterwards helps.
- Smoking stains the edges of veneers and harms the gums.
Habits That Damage Veneers
- Biting fingernails, pens or ice
- Opening packets or bottles with your teeth
- Grinding or clenching, especially at night
- Playing contact sport without a mouthguard
Night Guards for Grinding
Many people grind or clench at night without knowing. Signs include jaw tiredness in the morning, headaches, worn edges or chipped teeth. Grinding puts heavy force on veneers and can chip or loosen them.
If your dentist sees signs of grinding, a custom night guard is often recommended. It is worn while you sleep and absorbs the force instead of your veneers. Over-the-counter guards are bulkier and fit less precisely.
Porcelain vs Composite Care
| Porcelain veneers | Composite veneers | |
|---|---|---|
| Staining | Very stain-resistant | Can stain at the edges; polishing helps |
| Polishing | Rarely needed | Professional polish at check-ups |
| Chips | Usually replaced | Usually repaired in the chair |
| Toothpaste | Non-abrasive fluoride | Non-abrasive fluoride; avoid gritty pastes |
Read more in how long do composite veneers last?
Check-Ups and Professional Cleans
Regular check-ups let your dentist look for decay at the edges, gum inflammation, small chips and changes in your bite before they become bigger problems. Your hygienist will use instruments and polishes that are safe for veneers.
Your dentist will recommend how often to come in, based on your teeth and gums. If your veneers have a warranty, such as the 5-year limited warranty on our E.max veneers, regular check-ups and cleans are usually one of its conditions.
When to Call Your Dentist
- A veneer feels loose, rough or sharp
- You notice a chip or crack
- Your bite feels different
- You have sensitivity or pain around a veneered tooth
- Your gums bleed or look red around the veneers
Early attention usually means a simpler fix.
Need a Check-Up?
Whether your veneers were placed with us or elsewhere, our team can check and clean them at Suite 302, Level 3, 70 Pitt Street, Sydney CBD. Call (02) 8090 1105 or book online. See general dentistry, porcelain veneers and composite veneers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean veneers?
Brush twice a day with a soft brush and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, and have regular professional cleans.
Can I use whitening toothpaste with veneers?
It’s best to avoid gritty whitening pastes, which can scratch composite. They also won’t whiten porcelain or composite.
Can I drink coffee with veneers?
Yes. Porcelain resists staining well. Composite can stain over time, so rinse with water afterwards and keep up regular polishing.
Do I need a night guard with veneers?
If you grind or clench, a custom night guard is often recommended to protect your veneers. Your dentist will check for signs of grinding.
How often should I see the dentist with veneers?
Your dentist will recommend a recall interval based on your teeth and gums. Regular check-ups help catch small problems early.