Foods and Drinks to Avoid with Veneers
Patients with cracked, discolored, chipped, or gapped teeth can benefit from porcelain veneers at our Hartford, CT dental practice. Custom veneers can bring symmetry and balance back to your smile.
As with any dental treatment, you will need to follow certain dietary guidelines to preserve your veneers and protect them from damage. Here, we will discuss foods and drinks to avoid with veneers so you can keep your smile looking and feeling great for years to come.
Temporary Veneers
In most cases, your final veneers will be crafted in a dental lab. This process takes about two to three weeks to complete. Therefore, you will most likely need to wear temporary veneers in the meantime.
In the sections below, we will explore foods that you should avoid and foods that you can eat with temporary veneers in place.
Foods to Avoid with Temporary Veneers
Because temporary veneers are usually affixed to your teeth with temporary cement, they are more likely to become displaced.
To avoid this, there are a few foods patients should steer clear of until their final veneers are in place. For example, if you are wearing temporary veneers, we recommend avoiding:
- Hard foods, such as candy, raw fruits and vegetables, popcorn, ice, and similar items
- Tough meat
- Sticky foods such as taffy and caramels
- Toasted or crusty bread
- Staining agents, such as ketchup, berries, tomatoes, colas, tea, coffee, and red wine
Foods to Eat with Temporary Veneers
While you are wearing temporary veneers, we recommend eating soft, non-staining foods. Some of these include:
- Pasta
- Mashed potatoes
- Soft bread
- Eggs
- Chicken
- Soft canned food
- Bananas
Permanent Veneers
Unlike temporary veneers, permanent veneers are made from high-grade porcelain, which is much more resilient to staining. Because ceramic porcelain is incredibly strong, veneers are also less vulnerable to breakage. However, your final veneers can still become damaged by certain foods or lifestyle habits.
Foods to Avoid with Permanent Veneers
To keep your permanent veneers in optimal shape, we recommend steering clear of certain foods and habits for the long-haul. These include:
- Extremely hard foods
- Dark liquids (red wine, black tea, and coffee should be consumed in moderation)
- Tobacco use
- Alcoholic beverages, which can eventually damage the bonding material
If you are a daily coffee or tea drinker, it is a good idea to sip these beverages through a straw. This decreases the amount of time that the liquid comes in contact with the teeth. Additionally, we recommend rinsing your mouth out with water after every meal to reduce the risk of staining.
Patients who experience temperature sensitivity should also consider avoiding extremely hot and cold food and beverages. Cutting foods into smaller pieces can help reduce sensitivity as well.
Contact Our Practice Today
If cared for properly, porcelain veneers can last 20 years or more. Additionally, they can restore beauty to your smile. To learn more about veneers aftercare or to explore your treatment options, contact us by calling (860) 659-8660.