Are you considering veneers but are worried they could damage your teeth? You aren't alone! We see hundreds of clients who are interested in veneers but are worried about the impact on their teeth. So sit back and relax as we tell you whether veneers can damage your teeth and how you should properly care for your veneers and natural teeth.
Generally, veneers do not damage your teeth. They can be applied to your teeth without needing to worry about any long-term health impacts. When you have porcelain veneers, your teeth are filed down, removing some of the enamel that protects your teeth. This does mean that your teeth can get damaged if you have poor dental hygiene or underlying tooth decay. Your teeth will have lost their protective barrier, and unless you are diligent with your dental care, your oral health could suffer.
The same applies when you have composite veneers or no-prep veneers, as they cover the front of your teeth, dripping germs and plaque between them and your enamel. this can cause cavities if you are not practising good oral care, which, over time, can damage your natural teeth.
Should you fail to look after your natural teeth and veneers properly, your teeth can become filled with cavities and start to rot. You would need dental work to either fill the cavities or remove the rotten tooth. When we remove a tooth that a veneer has been covering, we will need to replace it with a dental implant, which can be a costly and time-consuming process. You can learn more about our dental implant treatments here.
When you don't care for your natural teeth, the veneer covering them can also come loose or fall off. A loose veneer makes talking and eating tricky, and one that has fallen off leaves your filed tooth at further risk of damage. In some cases, we can repair the veneer, but we will often need to replace it, which can be expensive,e depending on the type of veneer that you have.
The best way to care for and protect your teeth after having veneers is to follow the veneer aftercare carefully. There are some different steps depending on the type of veneers that you have, so make sure you speak to a dentist if you aren't sure how best to care for your veneers.
To ensure that your veneers and natural teeth remain healthy, we recommend the following steps:
The best way to care for your veneers and the natural teeth underneath them is to brush them twice a day. A fluoride toothpaste should be used, as this will protect your teeth, increasing their strength and making them less prone to decay. When you use fluoride toothpaste, you can reduce the risk of oral health issues, too, including gum disease.
Brushing your teeth twice a day will help to prevent the buildup of plaque, which can be harmful to the enamel you have left. When you don't care for your natural teeth correctly, they can weaken, causing your veneers to potentially move or become uncomfortable.
After brushing your teeth, you should floss them regularly. Flossing helps to remove plaque from the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth that your toothbrush cannot access. It also helps to remove food particles from these areas, which can become breeding grounds for bacteria if they are not removed.
Flossing should not take you too long, but it is an important part of your routine that you should not skip. We recommend using a soft floss that won't irritate or inflame your gums.
An antiseptic mouthwash is one of the best ways to keep your natural teeth healthy. An antiseptic mouthwash does not always taste the best, but it attacks the germs in your mouth that cause plaque and tartar, reducing the build-up and risks to your teeth.
If you use one of these mouthwashes regularly, you can also reduce tooth sensitivity. If you struggle with sensitive teeth and find eating or drinking hot and cold foods and drinks difficult, using an antiseptic mouthwash could help build your teeth strength and reduce sensitivity.
Routine dental appointments will also help you to keep your natural teeth healthy. You should see your dentist every six months so they can assess your oral health and hygiene and make any recommendations. A dentist will be able to see more of your mouth than you can, helping to spot problems before they become serious to prevent long-term issues down the line.
When you see your dentist regularly, they can also offer sealants or fluoride treatments that will prevent tooth decay and keep your teeth safer for longer.
Nail biting, chewing ice, and smoking are all harmful to your teeth. You can chip or crack your teeth when chewing on hard items like ice, while smoking will stain the enamel of your teeth and can increase your risk of gum disease and other oral health issues.
It can be tricky to stop these habits, so reach out to your doctor for advice if you are concerned.
How much we need to file your teeth for veneers will vary depending on the type of veneers that you have. We have outlined how much filing is needed for each veneer type we offer below:
For porcelain veneers to be attached to your teeth, we must file your teeth, removing much of the enamel for them to fit in your mouth. As we file the enamel away, the shape of your teeth can change slightly, becoming smaller from your gumline to its top.
The colour and texture of your teeth can also change, becoming rougher and duller than your other teeth. As most of the colour and texture come from the enamel, this is to be expected and is similar to how teeth with enamel erosion look.
As your porcelain veneers will permanently cover your teeth, you don't need to worry too much about their appearance. Your dentist will discuss how much filing is required for your porcelain veneers. Filing your teeth tends to be pain-free, but you might experience some discomfort.
Learn about our porcelain veneer treatment process.
Composite veneers are made from a resin that is applied to and sculpted directly on your teeth. We do need to etch the teeth a little for this, with some minor filing. Doing so helps the resin to bond better with your teeth for a seamless fit.
The minor filing is not too noticeable, and you don't need to have your composite veneers reattached if you decide after a few years that you don't want them. Your tooth structure will remain intact, although you will need to practice good oral hygiene to ensure that your remaining enamel does not weaken.
Learn more about our composite resin veneer treatment.
No prep veneers require the least amount of filing, with many customers not needing their teeth filed at all. As no-prep veneers are so thin, we don't need to worry too much about them appearing too big for your mouth. In some cases, we will need to lightly etch or score the front of your teeth, but this is minimal compared to the filing needed for porcelain veneers.
Learn more about our no-prep veneer treatment.
Providing that your veneers are installed correctly by a dental professional, yes, they are safe. There have been some concerns about the long-term safety of veneers as your teeth are left with less enamel, but providing that they are installed correctly and you take good care of your teeth, you don't need to worry about them being unsafe.
To ensure that your veneers stand the test of time, make sure that you attend regular dental checkups. Your dentist can check the health of your naturalal teeth and veneers to prevent any minor problems from becoming long-term issues.
By caring for your veneers and natural teeth properly, you don't need to worry about any long-term damag. Before your veneers are fitted, we will make any recommendations to improve your oral health, putting good habits in place that will keep your teeth healthy for longer. What are you waiting for? Book your consultation appointment today to see how your new smile could look.
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