Posted: November 6, 2018
Porcelain veneers are a versatile cosmetic dentistry restoration that can correct a wide range of aesthetic smile imperfections. Dr. Greenhalgh can help you achieve beautiful, natural results with porcelain veneers that will have you flashing your smile with confidence.
The restoration consists of thin shells of dental porcelain which get bonded to the front surface of your teeth. Dr. Greenhalgh can match your veneers to the shade of your neighboring teeth to ensure they blend in seamlessly with your smile. For this reason, porcelain veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry services we offer.
Porcelain veneers are a very durable restoration and they have the ability to withstand normal biting can chewing forces. However, there are some foods that you should avoid, particularly while wearing temporary veneers, in order to avoid damaging the dental restoration.
Foods to Avoid while Wearing Temporary Veneers
It generally takes a few weeks for the lab to construct your permanent veneers. During this time, Dr. Greenhalgh will provide you with temporary veneers. These are more delicate since they aren’t permanently bonded to your teeth. This makes it much easier to damage them.
In order to avoid damaging your temporary restoration, you should avoid the following foods:
- Steak and other meats that may be difficult to chew
- Ice (you should never chew on ice, regardless of whether you have veneers)
- Hard breads
- Hard foods such as nuts, seeds, or chips
- Crunchy vegetables such as carrots and celery
- Hard candies
- Sticky candies
- Chocolate
- Foods and beverages which may stain your teeth
Foods to Avoid with Permanent Veneers
Your permanent veneers will be securely bonded to the front surface of your teeth, making them much more durable than the temporary veneers you initially received. This will eliminate many of the food restrictions listed above. However, it is still important to be conscious of what you’re eating in order to prolong the lifespan of your porcelain veneers.
Some foods to avoid with permanent veneers include:
- Hard foods which may chip the dental porcelain (when eating foods like chicken legs or bone-in steak, make sure you don’t bite too close to the bone)
- Ice
- Alcohol (excessive alcohol consumption can ruin the bonding material and cause your veneers to become less secure)
- Acidic foods and beverages such as lemonade, citrus fruits or tomato sauce (these items can erode the bonding material)
- Sticky candies
- Foods and beverages which may stain your teeth
It’s important to understand that while porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, the bonding material and your natural teeth aren’t. Therefore, if you consume staining foods and beverages, you may find that your veneers are brighter than some of the adjacent natural teeth. To avoid this problem, limit your consumption of the following foods and beverages:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Colas
- Red wine
- Tomato sauce
- Ketchup
- Dark fruits
- Red peppers
- Curry
You can minimize the discoloration to your teeth by consuming the beverages on this list with a straw. In addition, you should avoid smoking or chewing tobacco, since these actions can tarnish the color of your teeth.
In order to maximize the lifespan of your porcelain veneers, you’ll also need to avoid using your teeth as a tool. The following actions can potentially damage your veneers:
- Biting your nails
- Opening a bag of chips with your teeth
- Opening a beer bottle with your teeth
- Using your teeth to grip objects
Dr. Greenhalgh will discuss these items with you in greater detail during the preparation phase of your procedure. By caring properly for your porcelain veneers, you can enjoy your beautiful new smile for 10-15 years.
Contact our Lakewood Cosmetic Dentist
Please contact Dr. Scott Greenhalgh using the form on this page or call 303-988-9060 today to schedule your porcelain veneers consultation. We serve patients in Lakewood, Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
