What Can You Eat With Dental Veneers? | Aesthetic Dental

Most dental care, including cosmetic dentistry, sometimes requires a change in diet to ensure tooth and/or gum health. In the case of temporary dental veneers, it is recommended that you exclude some meals from your usual diet and eat only soft food during the first days after the placement of the veneers.

What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are a stain-resistant oral health solution that can help dental patients transform the look of their teeth. If your natural teeth are chipped, misshapen, gapped, worn down, or miscolored, veneers can help. Thin covers that are made of either porcelain or a composite resin material, dental veneers adhere to teeth and can grant a totally new smile.
Here at Aesthetic Dental and Specialty Center, we use porcelain veneers, a thin, semi-translucent shell made of porcelain which is bonded to the front surface of the tooth. Porcelain veneers perfectly imitate your natural teeth enamel and make it impossible to differentiate a veneer among your natural teeth.

However, getting porcelain veneers has some drawbacks, such as a need to change your eating habits after the procedure.

Getting Temporary Veneers

The procedure to get porcelain veneers includes wearing the temporary veneers. Temporary veneers are made of acrylic and are fixed with temporary cement. They are needed in order to protect your teeth from sensitivity until the permanent veneers are ready. Temporary dental veneers help test your new restoration, while also achieving proper fit and appearance in your quest for the perfect smile.

Food to Avoid Eating With Temporary Veneers

Since temporary veneers are not permanently fixed to your teeth, they can be damaged or displaced. Most foods will not cause any dental issues, and in most instances, you can eat the foods you wish. However, it is recommended that you avoid some foods and exclude some meals from your usual diet. It is especially important that you eat only soft food during the first days after the veneers placement. Foods to avoid include:

• Toasts and other crusty and crunchy bread
• Hard food, such as ice, candies, popcorn, candy apples, raw fruits, etc.
• Tough meats that are difficult to chew
• Crunchy food, such as nuts, seeds, crisps, etc.
• All food that can leave stains on your teeth: ketchup, curry, dark berries, jams, red pepper, tomatoes, dark fruits, etc.
• Chocolate
• Sticky food (gums, sticky candies)
• Drinks that contain pigments and may colour your teeth: tea, coffee, Coke and similar beverages, red wine

This is not a full list of forbidden products, but the main idea is to avoid eating anything that makes you grind, chew and bite with increased pressure and grinding motion. This may damage your veneers and cause pain. Moreover, try to avoid coloring food and drinks, as temporary veneers are very vulnerable to stains.

Food You Can Eat With Temporary Veneers

When you are wearing temporary veneers, it is better to eat only soft food that is non-staining (foods that are yellow, white, cream, etc.) After temporary veneer placement you should feel safe and free to eat the following foods:

• Chicken (cut in to small pieces)
• Mashed potato
• Pasta
• Eggs
• Bananas
• White fish
• Bread without crust
• Soft canned food

Getting Your Permanent Porcelain Veneers

The best thing about permanent porcelain veneers is the fact that they are less vulnerable to stains and can be easily polished. So, even if you get some stains on your teeth, your dentist will be able to remove them in a few minutes. Although the porcelain veneers are strong, in order to protect them and reduce the need of professional cleanings, it is advisable to avoid some types of food in your diet.

Food to Avoid Eating With Permanent Porcelain Veneers (and Drinks and Other Products)

• Dark liquids (coffee, black tea, red wine, etc.)
• Hard food
• Alcoholic beverages (it ruins the bonding material)l
• Chewing tobacco

Of course, these are only recommendations. If you cannot give up eating specific food or drinking tea, you should at least rinse your teeth with water after each meal and maintain good oral hygiene. An ideal variant is to brush your teeth after consuming food or drinks that might color your veneers. The longer the food stays in contact with your teeth, the greater the chances of getting stains.

If you experience increased teeth sensitivity after the procedure, avoid hot and cold food and drinks. It is also recommended to take small bites and cut the food into many pieces. Avoid biting and chewing with excessive force. In case you have to eat hard food, we recommend you chew with your back teeth. Porcelain veneers are not indestructible and if not properly cared for, they can break and chip. If you are careful, your porcelain veneers can last for many years. Consult your family dentist to get more information about the eating rules you should follow.

Quality Oral Health with Aesthetic Dental

At Aesthetic Dental, we understand the importance of having a healthy, beautiful smile. Our team of experienced Santa Clarita dentists offers comprehensive dental care to ensure your teeth remain strong and healthy. We offer preventive treatments to help protect your teeth from decay and damage and restorative treatments to repair any existing damage. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help keep your smile looking its best.