By Dr. Jon ( Junyi ) Ho Are you considering getting dental veneers? If so, you may be wondering how dental veneers affect diet and eating habits and your daily life. Dental veneers are a wonderful way to improve the appearance of your smile, but it’s important to understand how a patient’s eating habits can impact their longevity.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the relationship between eating habits and dental veneers and tips for proper maintenance. Read on to find out which foods you should avoid keeping your smile looking great!
Contents Navigation
- 1 Summary of the Content
- 2 Dietary Restrictions Before and After Veneers
- 3 Chewing with Dental Veneers
- 4 Hot and Cold Sensitivity
- 5 Maintaining Oral Hygiene with Dental Veneers
- 6 Effects of Sugary Foods on Veneers
- 7 Effects of Acidic Foods on Veneers
- 8 Hard Foods and Dental Veneers
- 9 Staining and Discolouration of Dental Veneers
- 10 Can You Whiten Your Dental Veneers?
- 11 Longevity of Dental Veneers
- 12 Precautions to Take After Getting Dental Veneers
- 13 When to Visit the Dentist
- 14 Final Thoughts
Summary of the Content
Dental veneers can be a great investment for those looking to improve their smile.
Dietary habits and dental veneers have a direct correlation.
To maintain good oral hygiene and your new look for many years: practice proper oral hygiene, make regular dental visits and limit your consumption of hard, sticky or acidic foods.
You can enjoy your beautiful smile for many years with proper care and maintenance!
Dietary Restrictions Before and After Veneers
If you’re considering veneers, it’s important to be aware of any dietary restrictions that may come with them. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the front of your teeth to improve their appearance. While they can transform your smile, they also require care to last longer. Here are some dietary restrictions to keep in mind before and after getting veneers.
- Before Veneers
Before getting veneers, you don’t necessarily need to follow any dietary restrictions. However, it’s a good idea to avoid hard or sticky foods, as well as anything that can stain your teeth. This will help keep your natural teeth in good condition, allowing your veneers to be bonded properly.
- After Veneers
Once your veneers are in place, you’ll need to be more cautious about what you eat. Here are some dietary restrictions to keep in mind:
- Avoid hard foods: Veneers are strong, but they can still chip and break if you bite down on something hard. Avoid things like nuts, hard candy, ice, and popcorn kernels.
- Skip sticky foods: Sticky foods can pull on your veneers and potentially dislodge them. Stay away from things like caramel, taffy and chewing gum.
- Limit highly-coloured foods: Veneers are stain-resistant, but they can still become discoloured over time if you consume too many foods and drinks that stain teeth. Limit your intake of coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries. If you consume these foods, rinse your mouth out with water afterwards.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools: Using your teeth to open packages or bottles can damage your veneers. Always use the appropriate tools for the job.
- Be gentle when brushing: While it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene, brushing your teeth too vigorously can damage your veneers. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently.
By following these dietary restrictions, you can help ensure the longevity of your veneers and keep your smile looking great for years to come.
Chewing with Dental Veneers
One concern that some people have when it comes to veneers is whether they can still chew normally with them. The good news is that, in most cases, dental veneers should not have a significant impact on your ability to chew.
Veneers are usually made of thin, durable materials such as porcelain or composite resin, which are designed to withstand the forces of biting and chewing. Additionally, the veneers are bonded securely to your natural teeth using a strong dental adhesive, which helps to keep in place and prevent them from becoming dislodged during eating.
When chewing with dental veneers, remember to avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky food to avoid damaging or pulling the veneers off the teeth. It’s also a good idea to try to chew on both sides of your mouth at the same time to help distribute the forces of chewing evenly. This can help prevent excess pressure from being placed on one side of your mouth, which could potentially damage your veneers.
Hot and Cold Sensitivity
After getting veneers, you may experience mild sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. This is expected since tooth enamel has been removed, but it should resolve itself within a few days as your teeth adjust to the veneers. If the sensitivity persists or becomes severe, get in touch with your dentist immediately.
Here’s how you can keep your hot and cold sensitivity under control after the veneer procedure:
- Avoid eating/drinking extremely hot or cold foods – Eating or drinking items that are too hot or too cold can cause temporary sensitivity. Consume food and beverages with moderate temperatures and avoid extreme temperature changes.
- Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth – Sensitivity toothpaste can help ease the discomfort of hot and cold temperatures. Use this with a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid scratching the veneers.
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water after eating – Rinsing after eating allows the removal of food particles that can trigger tooth sensitivity.
Maintaining Oral Hygiene with Dental Veneers
It’s imperative to maintain good oral hygiene to preserve your natural teeth and extend the longevity of veneers. Here are some conditions that are prevented by maintaining good oral hygiene after dental veneer placement:
- Prevent decay: Dental veneers like porcelain veneers are resistant to decay. However, the teeth underneath the veneers are still susceptible to decay. Because of this, regular brushing and flossing are needed to remove plaque which contains the bacteria that causes tooth decay.
- Prevent gum disease: Bacteria in plaque cause gum disease, which is characterised by inflammation and bleeding of the gums. When gum plaque is allowed to accumulate, and gum disease is allowed to progress, it can lead to bone loss, loss of tooth attachment, and, eventually, tooth loss.
- Prevent discolouration: Porcelain veneers are resistant to stains, but the rest of the teeth can still discolour from plaque and the food and beverages consumed by the patient. Because of this, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene practices such as brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and using mouthwash to reduce the chance of discolouration.
Effects of Sugary Foods on Veneers
Like natural teeth, veneers can be affected by sugary or sweet foods. Sugary foods can have a detrimental effect on veneers in several ways.
- Increases the risk of tooth decay: Eating sugary foods can lead to cavities in the teeth. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars we consume, producing acid that causes tooth decay. Although porcelain veneers are resistant to decay, cavities can still form around the veneers.
- May stain or discolour veneers over time: Sugar can adhere to the surface of the veneers and create a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to unsightly stains and discolouration. This is particularly true for patients who consume sugary foods regularly or fail to practice good oral hygiene habits.
- Weakens the bond between the veneers and the tooth: This happens when sugars and acids in food seep beneath the veneers, eroding the bonding agent and causing the veneers to loosen or detach from the teeth.
Fortunately, there are ways to guard your veneers against the damaging effects of sugary foods:
- Rinse with water: Rinsing with water after consuming sugary food will help clean away any remaining sugar particles on the surface of your teeth, which will also help maintain your veneers.
- Brush and floss after eating: Brush and floss your teeth immediately after eating. Regular brushing helps remove sugar particles that cling to the surface of your teeth and keeps oral bacteria from forming plaque and tartar.
- Limit sugary food intake: Reducing sugar from your diet is a great way to keep your veneers looking their best. Eating high-sugar snacks like candy, cookies, cakes, etc., should be avoided as much as possible.
Effects of Acidic Foods on Veneers
Veneers can be affected by certain foods, particularly those that are highly acidic. Acidic foods can cause tooth erosion which can lead to discolouration, sensitivity, and damage to the veneers. Some acidic foods that can have an impact on veneers include:
- Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits
- Vinegar
- Carbonated drinks
- Fruit juice
- Tomatoes
- Sports drinks
It’s important to be mindful of the foods you eat and take steps to protect your dental work. Here are a few tips to help prevent damage to your veneers:
- Limit your intake of acidic foods: Avoid or limit your consumption of acidic foods as much as possible. If you
- Use a straw: When drinking acidic beverages, consider using a straw to limit contact with your veneers.
- Maintain good oral hygiene: Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque and prevent erosion of teeth.
Hard Foods and Dental Veneers
Hard foods pose an inherent risk to dental veneers and can cause them to chip or crack. Eating crunchy snacks and biting into hard-shelled tacos or fruits with thick, resilient skin can strain the veneers, potentially resulting in damage.
It’s important to be mindful of the types of foods you eat to avoid damaging your veneers and potentially requiring costly repairs. Here are some foods to be cautious of when you have dental veneers:
- Hard candy
- Ice
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Hard bread
While modifications on your diet and dental veneer maintenance can take time to adjust to, a little extra effort tested to exercise caution can ensure the health of your veneers and teeth for many years to come!
Staining and Discolouration of Dental Veneers
Staining and discolouration of dental veneers can be caused by various diet and lifestyle choices.
- Smoking: Smoking cigarettes and using other forms of tobacco can cause staining of the dental veneers.
- Caffeinated Drinks: Coffee, tea, energy drinks, and cola can stain dental veneers over time.
- Sticky Foods: Eating sticky sweets like candy or chewing gum can lead to discolouration of the dental veneers.
- Acidic Foods: Consuming acidic foods such as citrus fruits, pickles, or vinegar-based salads can also lead to discolouration.
- Red Wine and Sauces: Red wine and tomato-based sauces are notorious for staining teeth and thus may have a similar effect on dental veneers.
To prevent veneer staining and discolouration, here are some things you can do:
- Opt for lighter-coloured drinks such as water and milk
- Avoid sticky sweets and opt for non-acidic fruits or other healthy snacks.
Rinse your mouth with water after consuming acidic foods.
Substitute red wine for white wine or non-alcoholic alternatives
Choose tomato sauces lightly seasoned with herbs instead of heavy, thick sauces.
Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to protect veneers from staining.
Can You Whiten Your Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are a great way to give yourself an instant smile makeover and can dramatically improve the whiteness and uniformity of your teeth. However, some don’t realise that these veneers, once affixed to your teeth, cannot be whitened like natural teeth.
While dental veneers are made of high-quality materials designed to resist staining, consistent oral hygiene is still recommended to prevent discolouration over time. Regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing combined with scheduled check-ups and professional cleanings will help keep your dental veneers maintain their brightness for years to come.
Longevity of Dental Veneers
Veneers can either be made from porcelain or composite resin. Both materials offer durability and longevity. Porcelain veneers usually last between 10 and 15 years, while composite resin veneers can last 5 to 7 years.
Many elements can affect the durability of veneers, including:
- Eating Habits: How you eat and what you eat can significantly impact the longevity of your dental veneers. Avoiding hard foods like nuts, popcorn kernels, ice cubes, and other crunchy items that could chip or break the veneers is important. Always be mindful of your eating habits and keep a well-balanced diet.
- Diet: Eating healthy foods rich in vitamins and minerals helps keep teeth, natural and veneer alike, strong. A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and dairy products gives your gums and teeth the nourishment they need to stay healthy.
- Maintenance: Regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing is essential for proper maintenance of dental veneers as well as scheduling regular check-ups and cleanings with your dentist. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits is important to prolong the lifespan of your dental veneers, prevent dental disease and improve oral health.
Precautions to Take After Getting Dental Veneers
Following your dental veneer treatment, you must take extra cautionary steps to maintain them and continuously enjoy their benefits. Here are some precautions to take after getting dental veneers.
- Avoid hard and crunchy foods
- Avoid chewing on hard objects
- Avoid sticky, chewy, and hard foods
- Avoid acidic foods
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Limiting intake of alcoholic drinks
- Do not use your teeth as tools
- Practice good oral hygiene habits
- Wear a mouthguard for sports activities
When to Visit the Dentist
After getting veneers, one of the most important things to remember is to return to the dentist for regular follow-up visits. Generally, dentists recommend scheduling check-ups every six months. This allows them to check if the veneers are properly fitted and that your teeth and gums remain healthy.
If you notice any pain or discomfort, get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible so they can check your veneers. You must maintain good oral hygiene habits at home and see your dentist at least twice a year. Doing so gives you and your dentist the confidence that you can enjoy those beautiful teeth with that radiant smile for many years.
Final Thoughts
Dental veneers are a good investment for those looking to improve their smile and maintain good dental health. However, a person’s eating habits and diet play a significant role in the success of dental veneers.
Eating hard, sticky, or acidic foods and drinking soft drinks may damage the veneers, so take extra care when choosing what you consume. With proper care, maintaining good oral hygiene habits at home, and regular check-ups with your dentist, you can enjoy your new look for many years to come!
Darch Dental Centre provides personalized dental veneer treatments to ensure patient satisfaction. Our experienced team is knowledgeable about the latest dental care and what works for you. We can help you with questions or concerns about eating habits, diet and dental veneer maintenance. Contact us today to book an appointment and get started on your new, healthy smile!
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