Is Peroxide Ruining My Porcelain Veneers?

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I’ve had two porcelain veneers loosen within the last four months. My sister said it’s probably because I’ve been rinsing my mouth with peroxide to whiten my natural teeth. I drink a lot of coffee, so I’m trying to keep my teeth as white as my veneers. Can peroxide ruin veneers? I’m embarrassed to tell my dentist what I’ve been doing. Thanks. Trudie

 

Trudie,

“Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide.” That’s advice that many people have heard for years. Is it good advice? We will explain how hydrogen peroxide can affect your mouth and smile makeover with porcelain veneers.

How Does Peroxide Affect Your Mouth?

As you rinse your mouth with it, hydrogen peroxide bubbles and releases oxygen. What’s the result?

  • The oxygen kills harmful bacteria that promote gum disease.
  • Beneficial microbes are also killed.
  • The absence of good bacteria causes other microorganisms, including yeast, to thrive.
  • Extended use (approximately two weeks or longer) of hydrogen peroxide to rinse your mouth will cause candida albicans to grow. The result is an oral yeast infection that will cause the tissue inside your mouth to become white and peel. The tissue will be red, raw, and painful.

If you want to keep your natural teeth as white as your porcelain veneers, get teeth whitening from a dentist.

Will Hydrogen Peroxide Ruin Porcelain Veneers?

Short-term use of hydrogen peroxide will not ruin porcelain veneers but don’t overdo it. However, it can irritate the gum tissue around the veneers and irritate. Still, if you wear porcelain veneers, caution is needed with the type of mouthwash you use. Mouthwash that contains alcohol softens the bonding that secures veneers to your teeth, and it will promote staining. Diligent oral hygiene limits the need for mouthwash.

  • Brush your teeth with non-abrasive toothpaste twice daily.
  • Floss daily.
  • If you still need mouthwash, ensure it’s alcohol-free.

How Can You Help Porcelain Veneers Last?

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Porcelain veneer

You can prolong the life of your porcelain veneers with these steps:

  • Maintain regular exam and cleaning appointments – Ensure that your exam and cleaning are only completed by a dentist and hygienist trained in properly maintaining porcelain veneers. Power polishing equipment should never be used on veneers.
  • Wear a mouth guard – Wear a custom mouth guard if you play contact sports.
  • Wear an oral appliance at night – Tell your dentist if you grind your teeth at night. Wearing an oral appliance at night will protect your teeth.
  • Use a sonic toothbrush – A sonic toothbrush’s soft, vibrating bristles will clean and polish your porcelain veneers.
  • Limit snacks and sugar intake – Sugary foods and drinks promote bacteria and decay, as does frequent snacking.

Consult a cosmetic dentist to determine why your porcelain veneers are loosening.

Baton Rouge cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post.

How Can I Avoid Veneers Teeth Preparation?

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How can I avoid veneers teeth preparation? I don’t want my teeth shaved down. I’ve been checking out dentists’ patients along their veneers journey on IG, and their teeth look scary after prep. I’m so afraid of that experience. Are there other options for teeth covers?  Thanks. Finn from Jersey City

Finn,

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Consult an advanced cosmetic dentist to avoid aggressive teeth preparation for veneers.

Pictures on Instagram of aggressive teeth preparation for porcelain veneers can be alarming.  A 2019 article in the International Journal of Esthetic Dentisty confirms that excessive teeth preparation for veneers exposes the dentin (the layer beneath the enamel), weakening the bond between the porcelain veneers and your teeth. Skilled cosmetic dentists only remove 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm of tooth enamel, leaving 85 to 95 percent of your enamel intact. Removing that small amount is not equivalent to shaving down your teeth.

Can You Avoid Veneers Teeth Preparation?

Not every porcelain veneers case requires teeth preparation, but a cosmetic dentist may recommend minimal preparation for natural-looking results and gum health. Even the thinnest veneers add a little thickness to your teeth, so a skilled cosmetic dentist will determine whether your teeth require preparation. Remember—skilled cosmetic dentists only remove. 0.3mm to 0.5mm of tooth enamel. Your teeth will not resemble the aggressively shaved teeth you may have seen online.

Several factors determine whether you are eligible for no-prep veneers or require minimal preparation.

  • Tooth position – If teeth are crooked, misaligned, or sticking out, a dentist must prepare them. Otherwise, placing veneers over your teeth without preparation can make your teeth look thick or bulky.
  • Improvements you want – Achieving your smile goals may affect multiple teeth. Your cosmetic dentist will ensure your teeth don’t overlap and that your teeth harmonize with your lips and bite. Achieving balance may require teeth preparation.

Are You Eligible for No-Prep Veneers?

Some porcelain veneers cases are suitable for no-prep veneers. If your teeth are even, properly aligned, and small, but you want to enlarge them, a skilled cosmetic dentist may include no-prep veneers as one of your treatment options. However, most porcelain veneers cases require tooth preparation because they are correcting imperfections in teeth.

Request a Porcelain Veneers Consultation

We recommend consulting with a dentist with post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training. Look for an advanced or accredited cosmetic dentist to discuss your treatment options for porcelain veneers, the most effective, healthy, and natural-looking teeth covers. Some patients prefer two consultations with different dentists to compare their options. A cosmetic dentist will determine whether your teeth need minimal preparation to achieve natural-looking results with porcelain veneers.

 

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Learn more about the porcelain veneers process.

Why Don’t Dentists Warn Patients That Porcelain Veneers Fall Off?

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I got porcelain veneers in February this year. Two of them have fallen off, and one of the two just fell off again last week. So far, none of the others feel loose for now. I am nervous because I’m going to S. America in three weeks. I’m not sure how to find an excellent dentist to bond veneers back on, and I’m not sure it’s a good idea either. My dentist has an accusatory tone about why my veneers have fallen off. He says that it can happen if I’m rough with them. This is news to me. I wasn’t rough with my natural teeth before veneers. I floss and brush as usual.

I’m beginning to wonder what else my dentist didn’t tell me about what to expect with veneers. Is it legal for dentists to withhold vital information like this? My husband thinks my dentist must have done bad work, but this is the same dentist I’ve had for the past seven years. I know other people who have received veneers from him and aren’t having any issues. Interestingly, our dentist did not warn them about the possibility of their veneers falling off. Why wasn’t I warned? Is this common for dentists to keep to themselves? Thanks. Keilah from NH

Keilah – You didn’t receive a warning about porcelain veneers loosening and falling off because it should never happen.

Why Do Porcelain Veneers Fall Off?

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Quality porcelain veneers do not fall off

If you have had repeated issues with veneers falling off, it is most likely because of your dentist’s improper bonding techniques. The veneer that fell off a second time wasn’t properly cleaned before it was bonded on again.

Although Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your veneers to determine what is happening, we suggest getting a second opinion before your trip. Find a skilled cosmetic dentist to examine your veneers, check them for stability, and let you know your options to ensure they are secure.

If your veneers are constructed properly, a trained cosmetic dentist can correctly bond them to prevent them from falling off in the future. If any of your veneers are loose, a skilled cosmetic dentist can remove, clean, and bond them on again.

You can decide whether you trust your current dentist to make the corrections, but given his track record, we suggest that you consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge dentist, sponsors this post.