Do you have chipped, cracked, stained, or slightly gapped or crooked teeth that make you feel self-conscious about your looks? If so, you might benefit from porcelain veneers. These thin, ceramic shells are customized to match or improve the appearance of your natural teeth, then are cemented over the fronts of your enamel to mask imperfections.
However, it’s essential to know what to expect before proceeding with any elective cosmetic service. For example, many patients want to know whether veneers have dietary restrictions. If you’re considering this treatment, continue reading to learn more about it!
Will Veneers Change My Diet?
These restorations are made from resilient ceramic that’s less porous than your enamel, so it can’t develop cavities and resists damage and discoloration. But that doesn’t mean they’re completely invincible. Certain foods can injure, destabilize, or completely dislodge the shells if you don’t watch what you eat.
What Foods Should I Avoid with Veneers?
Temporary Veneers
Before cementing your cosmetics over your teeth, your dentist must first ensure a proper fit. They’ll need to remove a thin amount of enamel so the cover sits correctly without looking overly bulky or throwing off your bite alignment. Then, they can make impressions of your mouth to create your prosthetics.
Your enamel protects your teeth from damage and decay and doesn’t regenerate, making this an irreversible change to your smile. Your permanent veneers are strong enough to shield them, but it can take a couple of weeks for them to arrive after your teeth have been prepped.
As a result, your dentist will likely provide temporary veneers to wear in the meantime. These aren’t intended to last long so they are less durable than the final product will be. To keep your temporary restoration in good shape, you should avoid tough meats, crusty breads, raw fruits and veggies, sticky or hard candies, and darkly pigmented drinks like coffee and tea.
Permanent Veneers
Your permanent veneers are much more resilient and can last for 15+ years with the right care, but they can be damaged or stained in that time. You should continue to steer clear of darkly tinted foods because your enamel will stain faster than porcelain, giving you an unevenly shaded smile. You should also avoid hard snacks like seeds and nuts that might crack or chip the shells.
Additionally, you may want to minimize your consumption of alcohol and the use of tobacco products, which can dissolve the cement anchoring your veneers to your enamel.
Your dentist might provide additional aftercare instructions to follow to maintain your cosmetics over time, like brushing and flossing twice daily and visiting them every six months for a routine checkup.
About the Practice
At Marvel Dental & Orthodontics, people of all ages benefit from a team dedicated to helping them improve their lives by enhancing their oral health. They collaborate to provide families with a comprehensive menu of services at one convenient location, including cosmetic procedures like veneers. They take the time to get to know you and your unique goals and concerns, then utilize advanced technology to tailor treatments to meet them. If you want to upgrade your grin, you can request an appointment on the website or call (817) 933-3883.