When going out to eat, your preferred meal might be a juicy steak, baked potato, green beans, and tiramisu to top it off. At home, you may reach for a bag of potato chips or a crisp apple for a snack, depending on your mood. However, with veneers, you may need to avoid some foods to prevent possible damage. What kind of diet changes do you need to make? Keep reading to find out.
The Truth About Veneers & the Food You Eat
If you are still considering veneers but worry you will have to give up all your favorite foods, don’t assume the worst. You will need to make a few changes, but you won’t need to stop enjoying everything you truly love.
Whether you have temporary or permanent veneers, what you eat can be harmless or harmful to your new teeth. Choosing the right foods can help keep your smile vibrant, healthy, and damage-free.
For example, avoid hard foods when possible because they require more bite pressure to eat safely. This can include ice, candy, and certain fruits and vegetables. If you can’t give up apples or your afternoon celery snack, cut them up into smaller pieces for easier consumption.
Is There a Difference in What You Can Eat With Temporary vs. Permanent Veneers?
Temporary veneers are not as strong as permanent ones, so you will need to be more careful when eating. While you wait for your final restorations to be placed, you’ll need to stick to a soft food diet as much as you can.
Boneless meats, lukewarm beverages (not extremely hot or cold), oatmeal, smoothies, mashed potatoes, and soup are ideal options while wearing temporary veneers.
Once your permanent restorations are bonded, you will need to be mindful about the following food options:
- Highly acidic foods and drinks that can erode the bonding agent that holds your veneers in place.
- Crunchy foods that can accidentally damage your veneers, causing chips or cracks.
- Sticky foods that can adhere to your veneers and be hard to remove, or that can cause your restorations to fall off.
- Dark-colored foods and beverages can cause discoloration over time. Although they are stain-resistant, they’re not stain-proof.
Generally speaking, once your permanent veneers are in place, you can enjoy all your favorite foods. You will just need to be careful when preparing certain foods that pose a higher risk of damage than others. When you do, you’ll enjoy the benefits of a dramatically transformed smile for years to come.
About the Author
Dr. Shabnam Tehrani is a cosmetic dentist who earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. As a premier dental expert in the area, she offers transformational veneers to help patients regain their confidence. Are you unhappy with your smile? Visit our website or call (813) 751–3044 to schedule a consultation with our team today!