Any activity or habit that would otherwise cause damage to one’s natural teeth can also contribute to veneer damage. These include:

• Biting on hard objects: Veneers are fragile and can be damaged if you habitually bite on hard items like ice, pencils, or fingernails. Doing so will ultimately lead to costly repairs or replacements that could have been avoided altogether.
• Eating or drinking stain-causing foods and beverages: Although veneers are often resistant to discolouration and staining, they can still become stained and discoloured if you regularly consume dark-coloured food and beverages. Examples are coffee, dark tea, red wine, soda, curry, and tomato-based sauces.
• Neglect: If you are not visiting the dentist regularly for professional cleaning and veneer maintenance, your veneers may start to chip or become discoloured due to plaque and tartar buildup.
• Teeth grinding: Jaw-clenching and teeth grinding put excessive pressure on the veneers. This can cause them to chip or crack.
• Poor oral hygiene: If you don’t brush and floss regularly, plaque can build up around the edges of the veneers. This can lead to tooth decay or gum disease – both of which could damage or even cause loss of the veneers altogether.
• Eating hard, crunchy foods: Eating too many hard, crunchy foods can also cause your veneers to chip or crack. Avoid things like nuts, pretzels, caramel, and hard candy.

Other causes of veneer damage that are not related to personal habits are:

• Improper placement or bonding: If the dentist fails to properly bond or attach the veneers to the teeth, the veneers can become loose or fall off.
• Trauma: An accidental blow to the face or mouth can cause veneers to chip, crack, or become dislodged.

Proper care for dental veneers is essential for their longevity. Talk to your dentist about protective measures that you can take to make your smile look gorgeous!