Can I Whiten My Teeth If I Have Veneers?

Raise your hand if you want a beautiful, healthy and bright smile. 

We can't see you, but we're pretty sure that both of your hands are up right now. 

Fortunately, there are lots of cosmetic treatments nowadays that can help you achieve a Hollywood-like smile. Whether it's veneers, implants, or teeth whitening, you can opt for the type of treatment that best suits your needs. 

But what if you are not happy with the color of your teeth anymore but also have veneers? Can you whiten your teeth with veneers? 

How Veneers Work 

Veneers are tiny shells that are bonded to the exterior part of the tooth to restore its aspect. Veneers are an excellent solution if your teeth are severely stained, if they are chipped or cracked, or if you have gaps between your teeth. 

To place the veneers, your dentist will trim your natural tooth and reshape it so that the veneers fit perfectly without looking bulky. 

This is an irreversible procedure, and if anything were to happen to your veneers they would need to be replaced. 

In time, veneers can become discolored. They can also get cracked or chipped if you are not very careful and tend to use your teeth as tools. 

Can You Whiten Your Teeth If You Have Veneers?

In time, your veneers might start to lose their initial brightness. They might also get a bit discolored, especially if you smoke or drink large amounts of coffee. 

If you are not happy with the color of your teeth anymore, you may be tempted to try an at-home whitening kit to brighten your smile. 

You may be disappointed to find out that these kits don't work. In fact, not even professional whitening treatment isn't effective as veneers don't respond to whitening agents. So, while your natural teeth might become one or two shades brighter, your veneers will stay the same color. 

What Can You Do? 

Even though veneers can't be whitened, you still have some options to improve the appearance of your smile. 

Professional cleaning, for example, can help eliminate or reduce stains. 

If the veneers are approaching the end of their life, you can also change them. But, before you do that, you can whiten your teeth and then create the veneers to match the new shade of your teeth. 

To make sure your veneers last for as long as possible and keep their natural look, practice oral hygiene daily. Limit the consumption of staining foods and beverages, and if you do have them make sure you clean your teeth afterward. 

Do You Want to Brighten Your Smile? We Can Help! 

If you are looking for whitening solutions but have veneers and don't know what the best approach is, the team at Thrive Family Dental can help. 

If you are ready to book your appointment, contact us and we will be happy to assist you. 

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