Dining with Veneers: Will Your Diet Need a Change?

If you’re considering veneers, it’s natural to wonder how they’ll fit into your everyday life. Will they feel weird? Will you still be able to bite into a peanut butter cup? Do you need to change your diet? There are a hundred questions to ask, and many of them revolve around food. The good news is that veneers don’t require a dramatically different diet. Here’s what you should know to eat well and protect your smile at the same time.

Foods to Approach Carefully

Veneers are durable, but they can still crack, chip, and break. Crunchy and sticky foods, like peanut brittle, hard candy, or ice, can put a lot of stress on the bond between the veneer and your tooth. Biting down on very hard objects, including fingernails, pens, or popcorn kernels, is worth avoiding altogether, veneers or not.

Avoiding Discoloration

Porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant, so your morning coffee habit doesn’t have to go anywhere. If you want to make sure they don’t lose their luster, you can drink through a straw to minimize contact. Other staining foods, like curry, dyed snacks, and dark berries, can also leave stains behind after a while. A quick rinse with some water can help keep them sparkling.

Sugar Still Matters

While veneers themselves can’t develop cavities, the natural tooth underneath and the surrounding teeth absolutely can. Diets heavy in added sugar still increase your risk of decay, which means a generally healthy, balanced diet is still just as important with veneers as it was before.

Think Maintenance, Not Restriction

Instead of eliminating entire food groups, just continue to keep up with good oral health habits to extend the life of your enhancements. Brushing, flossing, wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth, and going to regular checkups matter more than any meal. With good care, veneers can last well over a decade.

Getting veneers doesn’t mean giving up your favorite foods or drinks. A few simple adjustments around certain foods and consistent oral hygiene are usually all it takes to keep your new smile looking great for years to come.

About the Practice

At Rosenfeld Dental Associates, Dr. David Rosenfeld and Dr. Song are passionate about patient care, especially when it comes to creating smiles they’ll love. Our team provides custom porcelain veneers designed to fit seamlessly into your everyday life. Call (908) 668-7838 to schedule a veneer consultation or visit our website to learn more.