Is my mouthwash or toothpaste turning my porcelain veneers gray? I had 16 porcelain veneers done last fall. I’ve kept the same hygiene habits that I had before getting veneers. I floss in the morning and at night, use Colgate toothpaste, and rinse my mouth with water, followed by Listerine. My veneers don’t look as bright. I didn’t get instructions from the dentist who placed the veneers on any special products to use. Are any of the products I mentioned causing my veneers to look grayish? Thanks. Luke from Memphis, TN
Luke,
Proper care is crucial for maintaining the longevity and appearance of your porcelain veneers. Certain products and habits can cause damage, even if they don’t cause discoloration.
- Mouthwash: Avoid mouthwashes containing alcohol, as these can harm the margins of your porcelain veneers. Choose alcohol-free mouthwashes instead.
- Toothbrush: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Hard toothbrushes can damage veneer margins.
- Toothpaste: Most Colgate regular toothpaste (avoiding super-whitening or tartar-control formulas) is a relatively safe choice due to its low abrasiveness. For optimal care of porcelain veneers, Supersmile toothpaste is generally recommended.
While the above factors can damage veneer margins, they are unlikely to cause your veneers to turn gray.
What Can Cause Porcelain Veneers to Gray?
Material quality or surface damage can cause a porcelain veneer to turn gray
Graying in porcelain veneers typically points to one of two more significant issues.
- Material Quality: It’s possible that the veneers were not genuinely porcelain.
- Surface Damage: A more aggressive form of abrasion could be responsible. For instance, if you had a dental cleaning and the hygienist used a Prophy Jet or a similar power polishing machine, this could easily cause surface damage to your porcelain veneers, leading to graying.
Consult an accredited or advanced cosmetic dentist to examine your veneers.
Monore, Louisiana, accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry Dr. David Finley sponsors this post. Read about Dr. Finley’s commitment to providing patients with some of the best dental care in Monroe.
