Getting veneers can give your teeth a fresh and revamped appearance. For those who would like to undergo this dental treatment, it’s important to know how to look after veneers so they remain in good condition for as long as possible.
Caring for veneers is relatively straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of expensive maintenance. Following some straightforward guidelines will help to ensure that your veneers keep their fresh and natural-looking appearance.
Please note that this veneers aftercare guide aims to provide you with useful information on how to best take care of your veneers. And whilst we also provide some information on how to ease pain after veneers are fitted, the guidelines outlined here are not intended to replace any medical advice provided to you by your dentist.
What to Expect Following Your Treatment
Getting veneers fitted is a minimally invasive procedure. But, it’s important to remember that although veneers aren’t considered permanent, the procedure to fit them is irreversible, since your teeth are ‘shaved down’ to ensure that the veneers don’t look bulky and form a flush row of teeth.
After you’ve had your veneers fitted, it’s normal to feel some slight pain, discomfort, and tenderness around your mouth and gums. Your teeth might also feel a little sensitive — especially to cold food or drinks — due to the bonding cement that’s used to fit a veneer to the surface of a tooth. Post-op pain should begin to ease after a few days, but it’s worth having a couple of painkillers on hand to ease any discomfort. Your dentist will be able to give you more detailed tips on how to ease pain after veneers are placed onto your teeth.
General Post-Op Guidelines to Follow
Whether you choose to have your veneers fitted at home or abroad, there are some general guidelines that you can follow that can help to ease your recovery process.
Avoid eating or drinking until the effects of the local anaesthesia have worn off to prevent potential injury to your mouth or tongue.
Avoid extreme temperature foods for the first couple of days.
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water three times per day to help to alleviate any irritation around your gums.
Take a painkiller (other than aspirin) to reduce any post-op pain.
Avoid smoking and alcohol for the first 24 hours after treatment.
How to Look After Veneers: Post-Op Maintenance Instructions
When it comes to caring for veneers, there are a few important things to bear in mind.
1. Maintain a Good Cleaning Regime
After having veneers fitted, many patients ask 'do you have to brush veneers?' Simply put: yes! Although veneers themselves don’t decay, cavities can still form on your natural teeth, around and underneath the veneers. Keeping a regular cleaning regime will help to keep decay to a minimum.
Veneers should be brushed twice per day using a non-abrasive toothbrush and you should try to floss daily. This regular cleaning will help to keep staining at bay and play a big role in determining how long your veneers will last.
2. Eating With Veneers: Adjusting Your Diet
One of the biggest benefits of veneers — especially those made from porcelain — is their resistance to staining. Despite this though, instructions even on how to look after veneers that are made of porcelain still recommend cutting down on drinks that can cause staining — like coffee, red wine, and tea — as much as possible.
Veneers are not as strong as natural teeth so you’ll also need to take care when it comes to hard foods. Many dentists recommend cutting up hard foods into smaller pieces and avoiding sticky or chewy foods where possible.
3. Don't Use Your Teeth as Tools
Chipping or cracking of veneers often occurs when patients chew on hard objects — such as their fingernails or a pen — or use their teeth as tools, to open packaging for instance. Try to avoid this to ensure that you don’t damage your new veneers.
4. Wear a Mouthguard
If you grind your teeth at night, chances are you already wear a mouthguard to prevent any damage to your teeth. But, regardless of whether you grind your teeth or not, many dentists recommend mouthguards to anyone who’s had veneers fitted. Compared to the cost of veneers, these are relatively inexpensive and are certainly worth investing in.
5. Arrange Regular Dentist Checkups
Regular checkups with your dentist are a vital part of the veneers aftercare process. You should arrange appointments every six months and have your veneers and teeth cleaned professionally to limit any cavities or decay. Regular checkups will also allow your dentist to spot any potential issues while they’re still in their early stages.
Veneers Aftercare: We’re With You Every Step of the Way
At Qunomedical, we provide an end-to-end service. Your Patient Manager will be available to answer any questions or concerns during the aftercare stage. You can also join our dedicated community on Facebook. The Smile Hub provides a safe space to ask questions, chat with others, and share experiences about your journey.
✔ Patient-first approach: By following a “Patient First. Us Second.” approach, we ensure that your needs are always the priority.
✔ End-to-end care: We’ll be with you throughout your recovery, available to answer any questions you may have. We’ll check in with you regularly and you can also get in touch with your dentist for any post-op advice.