Having dental veneers put in can be literally life changing, and you probably love the look of your beautiful, white new "teeth." One thing that you might be worried about is keeping them looking their best, but luckily, there are steps that you can take to keep them looking white. Then, your veneers can last as long as possible, and you can be proud of the way that they look for many years.

1. Avoid Staining Foods

Veneers are not composed of the same materials as real teeth and aren't as easy to stain. However, you should still be careful about eating and drinking things that could cause staining. Avoid very dark or very bright foods and drinks, such as coffee, red wine and brightly-colored berries. If you do drink darker or brighter beverages, try using a straw so that you can bypass your teeth with these liquids as much as possible. Also, rinse your veneers off as with water as quickly as possible after consuming anything that might cause stains.

2. Stay Away from Whitening Toothpaste

It might seem like a good whitening toothpaste can help clean your veneers and keep them looking white, just like it can help your natural teeth. However, whitening toothpastes generally include baking soda and other mildly abrasive ingredients. Although minor abrasion can actually help to clean the surface of a natural tooth, it can actually cause scratches and other imperfections on your veneers. This can lead to a permanent, dull look. Instead, look for a mild toothpaste that does not contain any abrasive agents.

3. See Your Dental Professional Regularly

Even if all of your teeth have been replaced with veneers, you still need to see your dentist regularly. Your dental professional can check the overall condition of your mouth and veneers, and your dental hygienist can professionally clean your veneers to help prevent stains and to give them a bright, shiny and white finish. You can even ask for a polish, which will help you keep your veneers looking nice.

You probably love the way that your veneers look, including the beautiful white finish that they might have. You might assume that you will stain your veneers over time, but it's actually fairly easy to keep veneers looking beautiful, white and brand new, as long as you take good care of them. Following these three steps is an effective way to start. For more information, talk to a professional like Sakuda Michael K.