Veneers can give you a picture-perfect smile to be proud of, but will you have to sacrifice your favorite foods to enjoy lasting results? Veneers are durable, so you can enjoy many of your favorite meals. However, your cosmetic dentist will recommend a few simple diet changes to ensure your new smile lasts for decades.
Recommended Diet Changes for Veneers
Veneers are thinner than ever before, thanks to porcelain, which also makes the procedure less invasive. Although veneers are thin, they are durable and can last for many years with the proper care, like watching what you eat. Here are a few things you should know about eating with veneers:
- Limit Sugars and Starches: Veneers can’t get cavities, but your underlying teeth and exposed tooth surfaces are still vulnerable to decay. Therefore, it’s important to limit sugars and starches, which feed cavity-causing bacteria. If you can’t resist a sweet treat, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water after you finish.
- Avoid Hard and Chewy Foods: Hard and chewy foods can damage your veneers over time. It’s best to moderate how often you have them to avoid harming your restorations.
- Moderate Stain-Causing Foods and Drinks: Veneers are stain-resistant, but your enamel can still change color, which may be visible through the restorations. Your cosmetic dentist will recommend avoiding any foods or drinks that may stain your teeth, including coffee, berries, and red wine.
- Skip Meat on a Bone: Don’t eat meat off a phone or bite into anything hard, including corn on the cob, to prevent chipping or cracking your veneers.
Maintaining Your Veneers
Besides watching what you eat, you can ensure your veneers last for a decade or more by caring for them properly using a few tips:
- Choose the Right Dental Products: Do not use abrasive dental products because they can scratch your restorations, making them look discolored and damaging them. Only use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Brush and Floss: Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes in the morning and at night. Floss your teeth every day to remove any buildup your toothbrush couldn’t reach.
- Stop Bad Oral Habits: Avoid any bad habits that may damage your veneers, like chewing on your fingernails or pencils.
- Visit Your Dentist: Schedule a cleaning and checkup with your dentist every 6 months. They’ll keep your mouth healthy and ensure your investment lasts.
Watching what you eat is a small price to pay to ensure the smile of your dream lasts. With a healthy diet and the right aftercare, your veneers can serve you for many years.
About Dr. Lan Duckett
Since earning his dental degree, Dr. Duckett has regularly continued his training in various specialties to provide the most up-to-date solutions in dentistry, including prosthodontics, dental implants, and veneers. He is a member of both the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Dental Association. Request an appointment through his website or call his office at (703) 584-5882.