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Porcelain veneers are designed to last 10-15 years or more — but how you look after them makes a difference. Here's how to protect your investment.
Daily Care
Clean your veneers just like natural teeth:
- Brush twice daily with a non-abrasive toothpaste
- Floss daily, including around veneer margins
- Consider an electric toothbrush for consistent, gentle cleaning
Avoid whitening toothpastes with harsh abrasives — they can dull the polished surface over time.
What to Avoid
Porcelain is strong but not indestructible:
- Don't bite hard objects: Ice, pen caps, fingernails, hard sweets
- Don't use teeth as tools: Opening bottles, tearing packaging
- Be careful with hard foods: Crusty bread, apples — cut them first
These precautions apply to natural teeth too, but veneers can chip if subjected to unusual forces.
Night Grinding
If you grind your teeth at night (bruxism), you need a night guard. Grinding puts enormous pressure on veneers and can cause fractures.
We assess for grinding before placing veneers. If there's evidence of it, we'll make you a protective guard.
Staining
Porcelain veneers resist staining much better than natural teeth. However:
- The margins where veneer meets tooth can stain
- The cement underneath can discolour in rare cases
- Keeping good hygiene prevents both issues
Regular Dental Health Assessments
See us for regular dental health assessments so we can:
- Check veneer margins and bonding
- Spot any issues early
- Professional clean around and between veneers
We recommend dental health assessments every 6-12 months for veneer clients.
If Something Goes Wrong
Chip or crack: Contact us promptly. Sometimes we can repair; other times replacement is needed.
Veneer comes off: Keep it safe and call us. Often it can be re-bonded.
Sensitivity: New veneers can be sensitive initially. If it persists beyond a few weeks, let us know.

