The appearance of your teeth is vital to your self-esteem and how others view you. To get a beautiful, confident smile, you made the choice to use veneers. By attaching the thin shells to the front side of your teeth, you have drastically improved their look by hiding cosmetic flaws. However, now that some time has passed since you had them placed, you may have noticed they are losing their bright, white appearance. You do not want to once again become self-conscious because your veneers are turning yellow. To restore their color, your cosmetic dentist in Fort Worth, Dr. Renee Corbitt, can help.
Why are My Veneers Turning Yellow?
Dr. Corbitt provides two types of veneers in Fort Worth: composite resin and porcelain. Many tend to choose porcelain because they are stain-resistant. Although porcelain does not stain, they can appear discolored if you do not care for them properly. When abrasive products are used to clean your teeth, it causes fine scratches to develop on the surface of the veneers. Food particles and debris will become trapped in these tiny lines, causing the them to appear tarnished.
While composite resin veneers are more affordable, they are more prone to staining than those made of porcelain. Although it is not easy to stain them, it can occur due to smoking or prolonged exposure to darkly pigmented foods and drinks, like coffee and red wine.
Can I Whiten My Veneers?
Although veneers look like natural teeth, they are not the same as your enamel. You cannot just use an over-the-counter whitening product to attempt to reverse the discoloration. You will need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Corbitt to have your teeth professionally cleaned to restore their appearance. This will remove surface stains, but depending on the severity of the color change, Dr. Corbitt may recommend having the veneers replaced.
How Can I Prevent Discoloration?
With the right care, your veneers should last an average of 5 to 10 years, depending on the material used. To protect their longevity and brightness, you need to maintain your oral hygiene. When brushing your teeth, it is best to use nonabrasive products to avoid scratching the surface of the veneers. This will help to prevent surface stains and damage, which can cause them to lose their white color.
In addition, do not smoke because nicotine will cause them to turn yellow. Limit contact with darkly pigmented foods and drinks, like curry, tomatoes, berries, coffee, and tea. If you do eat or drink something that is dark in color, immediately brush your teeth. If that is not possible, rinse your mouth with water to prevent staining.
Where Can I Have My Veneers Cleaned?
If your white smile is starting to dull, do not lose hope that your teeth will become unattractive once again. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Corbitt. She will find the cause of the discoloration to help restore your bright, white veneers.