How long can you expect your porcelain veneers to last?

That all depends on you. With proper home care, you can flash those pearly whites for a long time. To start, proper floss and brushing are essential. They're the first and best line of defense against cavities and gum inflammation, which can lead to countless problems later.

While your teeth are now covered with porcelain veneers, this doesn't mean they can withstand heavy forces or impact. In other words, don't chomp on that ice. Like your teeth, it will wear down on the veneer. This can break or even dislodge the veneer. Avoid also biting your fingernails or gnawing on bones. If you play impact sports, such as football or basketball, wear a mouth guard. Discuss this with your dentist, who may recommend a store-brought mouth guard or a custom-made one for maximum comfort. Speaking of mouth guard, if you have a tendency to grind your teeth while asleep, consider asking your dentist to fabricate a custom-fitted night guard wear. Rather than the torture contraptions of the past, more modified, modern versions are available for comfort.

Dentists refer to people who clench and grind their teeth as bruxism. This activity compromises the structure of the veneer, causing the porcelain to break and chip from the constant force. If your dentist finds evidence of bruxing, you will need to control bruxing during the day.

Porcelain veneers are very resistant to staining. Even so, the veneer is bonded onto the tooth with cement. So while the veneer might appear flawless, the edges where the cement holds the veneer may be stained, spoiling the appearance of your smile. To minimize staining, follow the example of Hollywood types and drink tea, cola and yes, even red wine through a straw. If this is too conspicuous, carry a toothbrush and brush afterwards.

Now smile with confidence, but taking good care of those pearly whites will make your investment last.