What Foods and Beverages Can Harm Veneers?
So many cosmetic flaws can be treated with dental veneers. A veneer is a thin shell adhered to the front of a tooth, masking aesthetic flaws in the process. Veneers are durable and stain-resistant, but they are still vulnerable to wear and tear. That’s why your diet is important after undergoing treatment.
At Dental Associates of New England, we go over proper veneer aftercare with patients so their smiles look great for many years. Below are some foods and beverages to avoid after getting veneers. Our Boston, MA, dental care team can provide more tips for cleaning and caring for your veneers if you have any questions.
Crunchy Foods
Extremely hard and crunchy foods are not recommended for patients with veneers. Chewing on hard foods can crack the surface of veneers. As a general rule, if something can damage your natural teeth, it can also damage veneers, so use caution and common sense.
It’s also important to be gentle when consuming foods with bones or other hard substances, like chicken wings or stone fruits with hard pits. If you bite too close to the bone or pit, you may chip your veneers.
Other foods to be careful with are:
- Ice
- Seeds and nuts
- Popcorn
Chewy Foods
Consuming very chewy foods can put the integrity of your veneers at risk. Tough foods bear more force on the restorations and displace the veneers. If you want to enjoy a tough or chewy cut of meat, use a knife and fork to cut the meat into small pieces. This makes chewing a little easier for you and your veneers.
Acidic Foods and Alcohol
A diet high in acid or alcohol can soften and erode the bonding material between your natural tooth and the dental veneer. To keep the bonding material intact, avoid excessive consumption of:
- Lemonade
- Citrus fruits
- Tomato
- Cocktails, beer, or wine
Sticky Foods
Sticky foods, including caramel or taffy, can aggressively pull on your veneers, making them vulnerable to falling off. This is especially true of temporary veneers and newly placed final veneers. If possible, avoid these foods.
Food Items That Cause Tooth Discoloration
Dental veneers are stain-resistant, but your natural teeth aren’t. Overexposure to certain foods and drinks can discolor adjacent teeth. This may cause your veneers to look brighter than the rest of your smile.
To avoid a mismatched smile, restrict the consumption of foods and beverages that can cause stains, including:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Colas
- Dark juices
- Red wine
- Curry
- Soy sauce
- Tomato-based products (ketchup, tomato sauce)
- Staining fruits and vegetables (like beets or berries)
What to Do About Damage or Discoloration
If you experience veneer damage, a dislodged veneer, or tooth discoloration, the team at Dental Associates of New England are here to help. We can discuss different cosmetic dentistry options that can fix your veneer and brighten your teeth a our Boston office.
Book an Appointment Today
Veneers can last a lifetime when treated with the utmost care. If you have any questions or concerns regarding veneers, feel free to send us a message online. You can also reach our Boston office by phone at (781) 890-4900.