If you are like most people, you have your favorite foods—morsels that can change a bad day into a good one and make you feel good. Although you want to correct flaws in your smile with veneers, you do not know if you can give up your favorites. Well, the good news is that you will probably not have to!
In this blog post, you will learn about eating with veneers, things you should avoid to protect your perfect smile, and what else is required to keep your veneers strong for years to come.
Eating with Veneers
In general, once your custom veneers are attached and set, you are free to eat basically anything you would eat with your natural teeth. In fact, because of their durability, veneers often prove to be a little tougher and more stain resistant than normal enamel. As a result, there are very few restrictions to your diet.
What to Avoid with Veneers
Even though porcelain veneers are durable, you still need to be careful with them—if you want them to last to their full potential. If this is your goal, avoid these foods and habits:
- Smoking or using tobacco products, which can encourage bacterial growth in the mouth, increase staining, and weaken the bond with your veneers.
- Drinking excessive alcohol, which can degrade the bonding cement that keeps your veneers in place.
- Drinking or eating too much dark foods or drinks like coffee, red wine, soy sauce, and more that eventually will stain the veneers.
- Biting on hard items like popcorn kernels, pens or pencils, ice, or very hard foods like nuts or brittles, which can chip even the durable porcelain material.
For added protection and longevity, you should also not have too much sugar in your diet. Although your veneers are not susceptible to cavities, the natural tooth structure they are attached to is! Controlling your sugar intake can preserve your teeth and therefore your veneers for the long term. Moderation is the key!
Taking Care of Your Perfect Smile
In addition to possibly making small changes to your diet, you should make sure you maintain healthy oral habits to extend the lifespan of your veneers. For instance, when you floss and brush your teeth, which you need to do daily, you should use a toothpaste that is not abrasive. This means you should stay away from whitening toothpastes and other kinds that could damage your veneers over time.
You also need to keep going to your dental checkups and cleanings regularly. Your dentist can make sure your veneers stay functional and beautiful.
You might not have to give up your favorite foods when you get veneers. With a little caution, basic maintenance, and smart choices, you can enjoy both your perfect smile and the foods you love!
About the Practice
At Pioneer Greens Dentistry, Dr. Justin Shirk and Dr. Stephanie McAndrew take advantage of CEREC technology to create porcelain veneers. Although the process would traditionally take several weeks and require temporary veneers and two separate appointments, here we can design, fabricate, and place veneers in the same appointment. To learn more about getting veneers and how to make them last as long as possible, schedule your consultation by calling our Lincoln practice at 402-483-7502 or contacting us online here.