If you’ve recently gotten veneers in Yorkville, you already know how amazing they make your smile look. This unique cosmetic treatment option consists of thin covers on the front of your teeth to improve their color, shape, and size, giving your smile a whole new look. Veneers can be durable and strong just like your natural teeth, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have to be cared for. One key part of caring for them includes watching what you eat and drink.
Why Do You Need to Watch What You Eat with Veneers?
Even though veneers are made from strong materials like porcelain or composite resin, they can still get chipped, stained, or loosened if not cared for properly. Hard or sticky foods can harm your veneers, while dark-colored drinks can stain them over time.
By simply being mindful of the foods and drinks you consume, you will keep both your natural teeth and your veneers in great condition.
The Foods and Drinks to Be Careful With
A dentist near you suggests grouping your foods and drinks down into three easy groups:
1. Hard and Crunchy Foods (The Force Problem)
If you bite down on something too hard, you can place too much pressure on your veneers, mostly if you use your front teeth to bite down. This force could lead to a chip or crack in your veneer. You could also weaken the dental cement that holds your veneer in place.
| Foods to Be Careful With | Why They Can Cause Trouble | Our Professional Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Hard Candies (like lollipops or jawbreakers) | Biting down can cause chipping. | Suck them, don’t chew them. Better yet, avoid them! |
| Ice Cubes | Chewing ice puts extreme, sudden pressure. | Never chew on ice—it’s a habit we call parafunctional, and it’s bad for all your teeth! |
| Very Hard Nuts (like almonds) or Popcorn Kernels | These small, hard bits are like tiny rocks that can damage the surface. | Chew carefully with your back teeth. |
| Tough Meats (like chewy steak) | Requires a lot of effort to chew, which stresses the bond. | Cut them into small, easy-to-chew pieces. |
2. Sticky Foods (The Pulling Problem)
Sticky foods are a problem because they can pull the veneer away from your tooth! The bonding material is very strong, but sticky things can grab onto the veneer’s edges and put stress on that bond.
- Caramel and Taffy: These cling to everything and can pull on the veneer.
- Gummy Candies: The super-chewy, sticky ones are best to skip.
- Chewing Gum: Avoid chewing on the side where you have your veneers, as the stickiness can weaken the bond over time.
3. Staining and Acidic Things (The Colour and Glue Problem)
Porcelain veneers are very stain-resistant, but the dental cement we use to connect them to the tooth surface and your natural teeth is still capable of staining. If your natural teeth get darker, your new veneers could look too light and less natural.
Acidic drinks and foods can also slowly soften or erode the bonding material over a long time, which is not good for keeping the veneers attached securely.
- Staining Drinks: Coffee, black tea, and red wine are the biggest causes.
- Dark Sauces: Soy sauce and dark tomato sauce can cause discoloration over time.
- Acidic Drinks: For acidic drinks, fizzy soda, energy drinks, and pure citrus juices (lemon juice, orange juice, etc.) have high acid.
A Simple Tip: If you want to drink something that stains, use a straw! This helps the liquid bypass the front surface of your veneers. Also, always rinse your mouth with plain water after having something acidic or staining.
Key Takeaway
Knowing what damages veneers and which foods to avoid with veneers helps keep your smile strong, white, and beautiful. While veneers are durable, your daily choices make a big difference in how long they last.
Veneers are an amazing investment in your smile! They are designed to be used just like your natural teeth, but just like natural teeth, they need you to be smart about what goes in your mouth.
If you follow these simple guidelines—avoiding hard biting, sticky pulling, and too much staining or acid—your veneers near you will look great and last for many years.
Brighten Your Smile With Perfect Veneers Today
At 1 Yorkville Dental, we help you get a healthy and beautiful smile. Our team provides high-quality dental care, including veneers, cleanings, and other treatments. We use safe and modern methods to make sure your teeth look great and stay strong.
Ready to improve your smile? Call 1 Yorkville Dental today!