Do you have flaws in your teeth impacting your appearance and self-esteem? If so, you might benefit from veneers! These thin ceramic shells are customized to match (or improve) the shade and shape of your natural teeth and then bonded to their front surface to mask imperfections like stubborn stains, chips, cracks, or mild overcrowding.
However, many patients worry that they won’t be able to eat or drink any of their favorite foods with prosthetics in place. Continue reading to learn more about what you can and can’t eat with veneers so you can make an informed decision!
What Are Veneers?
These restorations are customized to look like natural teeth and then are attached to the front of your enamel to hide aesthetic issues. They’re usually made from resilient porcelain or resin that’s coated with a glaze durable enough to resist a certain amount of discoloration and damage, shielding the underlying teeth from potential harm.
That said, your dentist must remove a thin layer of enamel for these covers to fit correctly. After your dentist prepares your teeth and makes impressions, they send the information to a dental lab to begin creating your veneers, which can take a few weeks. Once this step is complete, your pearly whites are slightly more vulnerable to decay, disease, and injuries. You’ll likely be fitted with temporary prosthetics to safeguard your smile while you wait.
Are There Dietary Restrictions with Veneers?
Although veneers are incredibly resilient, they’re not completely invincible. This is especially true of the temporary versions that aren’t intended to be worn for more than 2 to 3 weeks. To avoid damaging or dislodging them, your dentist will likely recommend that you avoid the following options:
For Temporary Veneers
Steer clear of:
- Chewy meats.
- Hard foods like candy, ice, or raw veggies.
- Darkly tinted drinks like coffee, tea, wine, cola, etc.
- Sticky foods like caramels or taffy.
If you’re feeling sensitive after your appointment, it’s best to stick with soft foods that won’t irritate your tender teeth, such as scrambled eggs, applesauce, mashed potatoes, pasta, or bananas.
For Permanent Veneers
Minimize your consumption of:
- Deeply toned beverages that have the potential to stain.
- Tough snacks like nuts and popcorn.
- Alcoholic beverages that can erode the cement used to bond your veneers in place.
- Tobacco products, because they can cause stains and increase the likelihood of developing cavities or gum disease, which can cause your restorations to fall off.
Understanding more about what your diet might look like with veneers can help you decide whether it’s the right treatment for you!
About the Practice
At Dalton Hunt Dentistry, patients benefit from two dedicated dentists who share decades of combined experience. Dr. Dalton Hunt and Dr. Mark Helms accept patients of all ages and offer a full array of services to streamline your family’s dental care. Then, they take the time to get to know you so they can tailor solutions to meet your unique needs. They combine a compassionate approach with state-of-the-art technology to enhance patient comfort while delivering accurate treatment results intended to last, including cosmetics. If you’re considering veneers, you can request a consultation on the website or call (919) 787-8243.