San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment option that can transform your smile in a short amount of time. Although veneers require a significant financial investment, they can last for a decade or longer with proper care. What you eat can change the life expectancy of veneers, so it is essential to know what foods are best to consume to protect your investment. Our Bay Area cosmetic dentists at Glen Park Dental are sharing what foods and beverages to avoid when you have veneers.
About Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are custom-crafted from impressions of your teeth. Each shell is color-matched to your surrounding teeth, and they are molded to the perfect shape and size to complete your ideal smile. The procedure will require two visits to your porcelain veneers dentist in Oakland at Glen Park Dental. The initial appointment will clarify which teeth need treatment and begin preparing them for your permanent veneers. The dentist will administer a local anesthetic to the areas where you are getting veneers. Then, they will shave a small amount of enamel off your natural tooth to prevent the surfaces from looking too thick. Impressions of your teeth are taken, so your veneers fit perfectly to your natural bite pattern. Finally, your teeth are fitted with a temporary replacement. The replacement is worn until your veneers return from the dental lab in approximately a week or two. During the second appointment, your temporary veneers are removed, and your permanent veneers will be cemented into place.
Veneers are incredibly durable and able to stand up to normal biting forces when consuming food. However, there are some foods that you should avoid to lower your risk of possible damage. Below are the foods your leading cosmetic dentists in San Franciso at Glen Park Dental recommend avoiding.
Temporary Veneers
Your temporary veneers are not secured as well as your permanent set of veneers. Therefore, being extra cautious and taking special care can keep your temporaries safe and in place.
The following foods may cause damage or loosen temporaries and should be avoided
- Ice
- Hard Candy
- Sticky Candy
- Seeds and Nuts
- Raw Vegetables
- Hard, Crusty Bread
- Steak, and Other Tough Meat
Permanent Veneers
After your permanent veneers are cemented into place, they will add a layer of protection while remaining durable. However, the veneers are not indestructible, so we advise that you exercise caution when consuming specific foods.
Consider some of the following dietary choices before consumption to keep your veneers in their best shape.
- Acidic Foods and Beverages – The bonding material could erode from the presence of acid commonly found in soft drinks and juices.
- Alcohol – Alcohol could erode the bonding material resulting in your veneers falling off. Excessive consumption should be avoided.
- Ice – Crunching and grinding on ice could cause the veneer to crack, break, or come off completely.
- Hard, Tough, or Crunchy Foods – When chewing hard, tough, or crunchy foods, you could easily chip or pull off a veneer from biting.
- Sticky, Chewy Candies – Candy that is sticky and chewy could stick to a veneer and remove it.
Beware of Stains
Your porcelain veneers are mostly stain resistant. However, they are not impervious to staining when subjected to certain foods and beverages. After you have your permanent veneers in place, keep in mind that the natural enamel on your teeth that surround the veneers is subject to staining from consuming coffee, red wine, tomato sauce, curry, tea, and dark fruits. When that occurs, your cosmetic dentists in the Bay Area at Glen Park Dental advise that your smile could show fluctuations in color from tooth to tooth, possibly resulting in a loss of self-confidence or embarrassment in social situations. Professional teeth whitening could whiten your natural teeth, although veneers cannot be lightened. Good oral hygiene and routine dental cleanings help reduce stains on your teeth, as well as your porcelain veneers.
Veneers in Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California
Veneers can change your smile from dingy, stained, and crooked to one worthy of walking the Hollywood red carpet. If you are considering veneers to restore your smile or have questions about veneers, contact Glen Park Dental to schedule an appointment. Feel free to call our office at (415) 585-1500 or request a consultation online to find out if porcelain veneers are the right fit for your perfect smile!
