Can You Whiten Veneers?

A new set of dental veneers can give you a beautiful smile that makes you feel more confident and attractive. But if they ever become less than pearly and a bit stained, can you whiten veneers? In short, yes. But you need to be careful that the teeth whitening kit’s treatment doesn’t have unintended consequences, like an uneven smile.

If you want to whiten your veneers, here are some factors to keep in mind. Plus, you’ll learn proper care to sustain your white veneers and keep them looking as clean as the day you got them.

Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers

Before we dive into more about veneers and whitening, you must first understand the difference between having composite and porcelain veneers. 

Unlike composite veneers and real teeth, white porcelain veneers are made of a stain-resistant material. Porcelain material does not allow small particles to seep inside like natural tooth enamel. However, composite resins, which is truly what the question “Can you whiten veneers?” is all about, can go through some discoloration. 

Composite veneers tend to attract more stains than porcelain. Over time, surface stains can develop on composite veneers, which can be caused by something as everyday as drinking tea and coffee or sipping a glass of red wine in the evenings. 

While you can whiten your veneers, it’s also helpful to play the long game and maintain them in the meantime. In addition, it’s always a wise idea to consult a cosmetic dentist before trying any at-home teeth whitening routine, especially on new restorations.  

So, Can You Whiten Veneers?

It depends on the veneers you have. If you have composite veneers, you need to take caution when using an at-home teeth whitening kit. Veneer is made of a strong material, and while the bleaching ingredients will not cause harm, it’s often unpredictable when it comes to the use of whitening products. In general, it may make your surrounding natural teeth appear whiter than the veneers themselves. And, in turn, this could make your beautiful smile have an uneven appearance. 

In fact, cosmetic dentistry professionals will often recommend whitening your real teeth before your veneers are applied. If they suggest this to you, heed their advice. When you whiten your teeth with safe whitening treatments before applying veneers, it allows the dentist to better match the veneers to a whiter smile, instead of the other way around. It also allows you the possibility of whitening your natural teeth in the future once they become stained again, better matching your veneers. 

Maintain Your Veneers

Like your teeth, veneers can become discolored. While it’s possible to whiten veneers, you want to take preventive dental care measures to minimize the effects of stains at the start. So be mindful of how you treat your veneers and, it goes without saying, your overall oral health and hygiene. 

Brush or Rinse Your Veneers

Whenever you consume dark-colored foods and beverages, you should brush and floss your veneers. Brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush helps to quickly and gently remove stains on enamel and at the gum line before they set. Flossing removes particles in between your teeth that can lead to dark spots and gum disease. 

Brushing with a gentle whitening gel or whitening toothpaste can help to lift stains before they get worse. You can also ask your dentist about whitening with products containing baking soda. Good oral hygiene fights against what you eat and drink, but it’s also safe for your restorations or tooth enamel. 

Curry and tomato-based sauces are delicious foods, but they contribute to tooth discoloration. Coffee and red wine are examples of beverages that are notorious for staining teeth as well as dental veneers, but we often forget to brush and floss while we’re busy in the morning or indulging and relaxing at night. Still, it’s important to try and remember to care for your veneers as thoroughly as your natural teeth. 

Of course, if you’re not close to a bathroom and brushing is not an option, you can at least rinse your mouth out by drinking water. Flushing away any stain-causing buildup will help maintain your veneers and keep them as bright as possible.

Get a Dental Cleaning or New Set

Your dentist can give you a professional cleaning that will remove surface stains and enhance the look of your veneers. If, after a thorough cleaning, your veneers are still discolored and you are still unhappy with them, then you can replace them entirely. Still, it’s worth giving an at-home teeth whitening routine a try first before shelling out money for brand new veneers, don’t you think? 

Touch-Up Your Veneers

No one wants to go through the process of getting refitted and purchasing new veneers. But you can make them look newer. Keep a few on-the-go teeth whitening products on hand to whiten them and your natural teeth wherever you are.  

Teeth Whitening Pens

A teeth whitening pen will give you that just-brushed look when there’s no sink in sight. Using the pen’s soft-bristled tip, spread the teeth whitening serum across your veneers and natural teeth for a whiter smile. Soon, it will dissolve away, leaving behind only a fresh minty taste that covers up coffee breath and more. Use the whitening pen to prevent new stains from setting, too!

Stain Erasers

The GO SMILE tooth stain eraser is another wonderfully compact teeth whitening device. Designed with a patented Applicator Technology™, you simply flip it open, pop off the air tight top and, in a circular motion, spread the whitening serum formula along the surface of your natural teeth and veneers. And just like the whitening pens, the stain erasers also leave behind a sugar-free mint flavor. Feel energized and get fresh breath while you safely remove discoloration from your smile with no sensitivity.