Can You Whiten Veneers? (2024)

Can You Whiten Veneers? (1)

Can You Whiten Veneers? (2)

Your smile is your greeting card to the world, and it's so important to keep it healthy — and thus beautiful. Veneers are just one way to make your smile shine, making you feel confident. Over time, however, you might notice that your veneers are changing color. And you may be wondering if you can whiten your veneers or how to whiten your veneers. In this article, we'll explore some answers.

How do Veneers Become Discolored?

When you get veneers, it can be exciting to have a lovely white smile. But what happens if they start to change color? What are some of the causes behind this change?

Veneers are made of either porcelain or composite resin. Porcelain veneers don't become stained or discolored, but the same isn't true for composite resin veneers. Surface stains may develop on your veneers after exposure to drinks like tea, coffee, or red wine.

Can You Whiten Veneers?

If you're wondering how to whiten your composite veneers, you may be tempted to try an at-home whitening treatment. Unfortunately, composite resin doesn't respond well to whitening. The American Dental Association explains that this is just one reason why it's always a good idea to talk to your dentist before whitening your teeth.

Even though you can't whiten composite resin veneers, that doesn't mean you can't improve the way they look. Professional dental cleanings can help remove surface stains. Consult with your dental professional to offer at-home cleaning tips and a professional dental cleaning schedule tailored to your specific needs. If your veneers are significantly discolored, your dentist may recommend replacing them.

Caring For Your Veneers

As is often the case with dental hygiene, sustained care can make a huge difference. To prevent stains, it's essential to take care of your veneers the way you would take care of your enamel. Try to steer clear of color-saturated foods and drinks that could lead to staining. This includes beverages like coffee and tea and foods like curry, pasta sauce, berries, and balsamic vinegar.

That said, if you don't want to give up your daily cup of joe — mornings can be challenging, we know! — brush your teeth afterward with a toothbrush. If you're not at home and don't have access to your toothbrush, rinse with water after enjoying your beverage to help prevent stains.

We all want to do what we can to make our smiles look and feel good, and veneers can give us so much confidence. That's why it's important to take care of them. To prevent discoloration as much as possible, try to avoid food or drinks that could stain your veneers, brush your teeth regularly, and don't forget to see your dentist for professional cleanings. Even as you follow these steps, remember to enjoy your veneers and smile proudly!

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

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ORAL HEALTH QUIZ

What's behind your smile?

Take our Oral Health assessment to get the most from your oral care routine

DO YOU KNOW?

2.3 billion

people worldwide suffer from tooth decay

Can You Whiten Veneers? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Whiten Veneers? ›

Even though you can't whiten composite resin veneers, that doesn't mean you can't improve the way they look. Professional dental cleanings can help remove surface stains. Consult with your dental professional to offer at-home cleaning tips and a professional dental cleaning schedule tailored to your specific needs.

How can I make my veneers whiter? ›

One of the most common ways to whiten your veneers is with a whitening toothpaste specifically designed for porcelain and composite materials. While these products won't necessarily make your veneers whiter, they can help protect them from staining substances, like coffee and cigarettes.

Can a dentist whiten porcelain veneers? ›

Teeth whitening is a simple process that you can do either at home or in the dentist's office. In most cases, the dentist or you will use a bleaching gel that contains hydrogen peroxide. This gel is applied to the teeth and then activated with a UV light.

What to do if veneers turn yellow? ›

Whiten my veneers

Quitting smoking, avoiding certain drinks, and limiting your alcohol intake are all lifestyle choices to whiten your veneers. As far as an artificial teeth whitening process goes, veneers cannot be bleached like regular teeth.

Can you change the color of your veneers? ›

Porcelain is colorfast, so a dentist cannot darken or liken them. If you want a color change to your veneers, a dentist must make changes before finalizing them. Even if you tried on your porcelain veneers and did not like the color, your dentist would need to ask the lab to remake them.

Will hydrogen peroxide whiten veneers? ›

While hydrogen peroxide won't change the color of veneers, using high concentrations or applying it too frequently can damage the surrounding gum tissue and the natural teeth adjacent to the veneers.

Why are my veneers not as white? ›

Even though veneers are less prone to stains than your natural tooth enamel, they still have the potential to age poorly. In addition, long-term contact with highly pigmented beverages like red wine and black coffee can result in surface stains.

Can you use crest white strips on veneers? ›

Whitening strips should only be used on porcelain veneers that are properly sealed, as porcelain can be damaged by the bleaching agents found in whitening strips. Additionally, you should follow the directions carefully and make sure to use the product as directed.

Can you paint veneers whiter? ›

While you may be unable to whiten veneers with treatment, that doesn't mean that you can't improve their overall appearance. Professional cleanings can help to remove surface stains, so regularly visiting your dentist will help to keep your veneers as bright as possible.

How do you fix discolored veneer? ›

Discolouration can be resolved by simply getting new veneers put in. It's an effective solution, but it can be a little more expensive than you'd like. Replacing your veneers early is a sign of poor dental hygiene and a lack of care regarding your teeth.

Can you tone down veneers? ›

It is impossible to lighten porcelain veneers if a dark shade is within the porcelain. But if a stain was applied over veneers to add color, an advanced cosmetic dentist might be able to remove it. Over-the-counter products will not lighten porcelain veneers.

What if I don't like my veneers? ›

After a dentist prepares your teeth and bond veneers to them, porcelain veneers are not reversible. The only way to improve your smile is to have a dentist remove your veneers and replace them with new ones.

What is the most popular veneer color? ›

The most popular shade will vary depending on individual preferences and desired results. However, natural-looking shades such as light or off-white tend to be the most sought after. The process of creating dental veneers involves careful customization to match the color and shape of your existing teeth.

Can you whiten plastic veneers? ›

Can I whiten veneers? Unlike our natural teeth, we do not recommend using traditional whitening treatment on veneers. Teeth whitening products cannot change the colour of the veneers – but they can change your natural teeth, which will likely result in an uneven toned smile.

Does baking soda whiten veneers? ›

Stay Away from Toothpastes with Baking Soda

Toothpaste often comes with baking soda listed as one of its main ingredients. That's because it whitens natural teeth better. But for veneers, baking soda serves as an abrasive ingredient that can cause discoloration or early deterioration.

Can you put whitening strips on veneers? ›

The short answer is yes, teeth whitening strips can damage porcelain veneers if used incorrectly or too often. This is because the chemicals in the whitening strips can cause discoloration of the veneer itself and may even strip away the veneer's protective coating over time.

How do you keep veneers white and clean? ›

Clean your veneers every day, including brushing your teeth twice a day. Don't smoke or use other tobacco products. Avoid eating overly hard foods such as hard candy or nuts. Avoid eating overly sticky foods such as taffy and caramel.

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