Do Veneers Change Color Over Time?

Veneers are the perfect means of a smile makeover, covering discolored natural teeth beneath thin-layered shells bonded to front tooth surfaces. They have become immensely popular in cosmetic dentistry, offering you two trendy options to choose from:

• Composite Veneers. Made from resin-based composite material, they can become discolored with time. Can composite veneers be whitened? First, let’s understand the reasons for this phenomenon.
• Porcelain Veneers. More expensive than their composite counterparts, they outweigh in natural look and durability. These veneers are more stain-resistant and capable of withstanding breakage. Patients usually mean this veneer type when they google “How to whiten porcelain teeth?”

Causes of Veneer Discoloration

Stains on veneers are caused by numerous factors, depending on their type. The culprits for veneer staining are basically the same, but composite veneers are more susceptible to discoloration.

Factor/Veneer Type	Composite Veneers	Porcelain Veneers
Colored Foods and Drinks	Staining foods (berries, beetroot, soy sauce, etc.) and drinks (coffee, cola, and red wine) can lead to discoloration on your veneers.
Tobacco Use	Smoking harmfully impacts your veneers, making them turn yellow or brown.
Your Age	With age, yellow dentin in your natural teeth becomes more visible, also affecting your veneers.
Old Veneers	Veneers tend to wear down with time, especially made from composite materials. You might need to replace them every 6–7 years, though thorough maintenance can prolong their lifespan up to 15–20 years.
Microabrasion	Bacteria and food particles can penetrate a veneer through small scratches. This may lead to noticeable stains over time.

Things happen, and you might read this article post-factum, wondering how to whiten porcelain veneers. Let’s delve into this topic and find out is there a way to whiten veneers or not.

How to Make Veneers Whiter

If you are looking for how to whiten veneers naturally, we must disappoint you: the only things that keep them from staining are preventive care, sufficient oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups. No miraculous veneers whitening home kit will ever guarantee their pristine state, regardless of the ads you may occasionally encounter. 

However, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s examine several ways that can help you extend the original look and lifetime of your veneers. 

Professional Cleaning and Polishing

Seeking an actionable solution to whitening porcelain veneers, keep in mind that staining and discoloration are mainly caused by the porcelain glaze wearing down. Does teeth whitening work on veneers? Professional teeth cleaning will cope much better! You can book an appointment with your cosmetic dentist to get your natural teeth and veneers thoroughly polished from all sides.

At-Home Care for Preventing Veneer Stains 

You can take helpful at-home measures to prevent stains on your veneers:

• Avoiding staining foods. Try to minimize the consumption of colored foods and beverages or brush your teeth shortly afterward. This way, you can prevent the query of “how to whiten my veneers.”
• Quit smoking. Both your natural teeth and veneers will say a heartfelt “thank you” for this decision. What about electronic cigarettes? Visit our “Additional Resources” section for a comprehensive study!
• Use Proper Oral Care Products. Good at-home veneer maintenance isn’t possible without a bunch of appropriate dental care products. We’ll focus on that below.

Choosing the Right Toothpaste and Oral Care Products 

Since veneers are considerably costly, it’s reasonable to invest in oral care products to polish their look at home. With meticulous preventive care, you can skip the need to figure out “how do you whiten veneers” in the future. Here’s a go-to list to keep in your pocket while shopping after veneer placement.

1. Soft-Bristle Toothbrush

Dentists recommend picking a soft-bristle toothbrush to control cleaning your teeth and veneers from different angles. Soft bristles won’t be harsh on your gums or provoke bleeding and irritation. Thoroughly brush your teeth twice a day to keep your veneers in top condition.

2. Toothpastes with polishing components

These compounds efficiently prevent a further headache of “how to whiten stained veneers.” Your dentist can give recommendations on which toothpaste will provide the best polishing effect on your veneers.

3. Alcohol-Free Mouthwash

A good over-the-counter mouthwash can help you maintain oral health for a long time. Make sure your solution doesn’t contain alcohol as it can eventually wear out the bonding keeping porcelain veneers in place.

What to Avoid When Trying to Whiten Veneers

Striving to proceed to teeth whitening for veneers and crowns, you risk making several mistakes that can cause more damage than benefit your oral health. Here are some helpful tips to avoid that pitfall.

• Say “No!” to Toothpastes With Baking Soda

Keep away from toothpaste containing baking soda to prevent staining on veneers. Fluoride toothpaste is a more advantageous choice: it helps reduce dental erosion and maintain your veneers in an excellent state.

• Avoid Whitening Gel Overuse

If you are tempted to use special gels to promote teeth whitening for veneers, beware. In the long-term perspective, they can impact the color stability of composite veneers. 

• At-Home Whitening Kits 

Active constituents in over-the-counter teeth whitening kits can’t penetrate the surface of porcelain veneers. Porcelain is a non-porous material, making at-home kits useless for whitening veneers. What whitens veneers is professional teeth cleaning, so don’t waste your money in vain and ask your dentist for effective whitening for veneers.

Whitening for Veneers: Let Your Smile Shine

Since we’ve clarified the question of “Can you whiten porcelain veneers?”, it’s time for a brief sum-up. Strive to do your best to prevent veneer staining from the very start: avoid colored foods and drinks, quit smoking, and don’t use toothpaste with baking soda or mouthwashes containing alcohol. Keep away from at-home whitening kits: they won’t save your veneers but might make your tooth fillings stand out in color. 

The best choice is to contact a trustworthy dental office with skilled specialists for professional teeth cleaning and polishing. A qualified doctor will renew your veneer luster, helping you prevent numerous mistakes that accompany leveraging DIY solutions.

Additional Resources

Discover the effects of ECIG smoking on the color stability of simulated veneers made from lithium disilicate glass ceramics.