Veneers are a great choice for improving the appearance of discolored, slightly damaged, or worn-down teeth. However, once you have had veneers placed, it will be up to you to protect them, and that can potentially mean making a few changes to your diet. There are certain foods that can cause problems for temporary or permanent veneers if you’re not careful. Here’s what you need to know in order to plan your meals after veneer placement.
Your Diet with Temporary Veneers
Temporary veneers are only meant to protect your teeth until your permanent veneers are ready. Since they aren’t intended to last, they are attached to the teeth with a temporary cement. Consequently, trying to bite down on certain foods could cause your temporary veneers to fall off; such foods can include tough meats, toasted bread, raw vegetables, and hard candy. Furthermore, sticky foods like caramel can pull temporary veneers off of your teeth.
To stay on the safe side, you should stick to softer foods while wearing your temporary veneers. Good options include scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, pasta, soft bread, bananas, chicken, and soft canned food.
Your Diet with Permanent Veneers
Permanent veneers aren’t damaged as easily as temporary ones. As such, you’ll have much more freedom in regard to the foods that you’re able to eat. However, this does not mean that permanent veneers are indestructible; you will still need to stay away from extremely hard foods like unpopped popcorn kernels.
You should also be wary of coffee, red wine, and other beverages that can potentially leave stains on your smile. Veneers made from porcelain are resistant to discoloration, but the possibility of them becoming stained still exists. Thus, if you want to keep your veneers looking their best, you should make a point of consuming stain-causing beverages in moderation. It’s also recommended that you drink them through a straw to minimize the contact they have with your teeth.
One last thing to consider is your consumption of alcohol. Frequent exposure to alcoholic beverages can damage the material used to keep your veneers attached to your teeth. As such, staying away from alcohol as much as possible could potentially extend the longevity of your veneers.
If you have any questions about what you should or shouldn’t eat with veneers, talk to your dentist. They can help you figure out the best way to plan your meals while protecting your newly enhanced smile.
About the Practice
At Flenniken Family Dentistry, our dental experts pride themselves on being able to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered dental care to Carlisle residents. In addition to our various preventive and restorative dentistry services, we offer veneers and other cosmetic dental treatments that can leave you with a more dazzling, confident grin. To schedule a consultation with our team, visit our website or call (717) 249-7777.
