Veneers are a versatile and durable cosmetic treatment. With proper care, they may last for decades! But in order for them to reach their potential, you need to take good care of them. Does that mean you will have to change your diet? This blog post explains what you should know about eating with veneers.
Precautions with Temporary Veneers
Temporary veneers are an important step in your smile transformation, but they are not as strong or resilient as their permanent counterparts. While you are wearing them, you can minimize the risk of damage by taking these precautions:
- Steer clear of hard, crunchy foods like nuts, chips, and raw vegetables; these can crack or break your temporary veneers.
- Sticky foods such as caramel, taffy, or chewing gum can loosen the veneers and should be avoided.
- Extremely hot or cold foods and beverages might cause discomfort or sensitivity, so it is wise to opt for items served at moderate temperatures.
- Try not to bite directly into foods with your front teeth. Instead, cut items like sandwiches, fruits, and bagels into smaller pieces and chew with your back teeth.
Smart Eating Precautions with Permanent Veneers
Once your permanent veneers are in place, you will find that they are much stronger and more resilient than temporary ones. You can feel free to eat all your favorite meals and snacks in moderation.
However, adopting smart eating habits is still important. Many of the same best practices for natural teeth hold true for veneers. You should:
- Favor foods that are gentle on your veneers, such as cooked vegetables, lean proteins, and soft fruits. These options help reduce wear and tear. In contrast, hard foods might cause your veneers to break or chip.
- Cut harder foods like apples, crusty bread, or steak into small portions and use your back teeth for chewing. This prevents excessive pressure on your veneers.
- Minimize consumption of highly pigmented foods and beverages such as coffee, red wine, and berries. (Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to discoloration, but they can lose their natural beauty over time if you overdo it on highly pigmented items.)
- Eat lots of nutrient-rich foods that will support the health of the teeth beneath your veneers. For example, you should get enough calcium and vitamin D.
Veneers might cause you to make some modifications to your eating habits — but you should still be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods! Talk to your dentist for more detailed guidance on taking care of your new smile.
Meet the Practice
At Spring Creek Dentistry, our three highly skilled dentists have a wealth of combined experience. Veneers are one of the many services available in our office. If you are interested in enhancing your smile via cosmetic dentistry, we would be pleased to answer your questions during an in-depth consultation. Contact our office at 281-407-8333.