You won’t need to change your diet when you have veneers, but there are certain foods to avoid if you want to keep your veneers strong and white for a long time.

Veneers fix discolored, chipped, or misshapen teeth at an affordable price. They’re also extremely durable, especially if you have porcelain veneers. With proper care, veneers can last up to two decades. 

You won’t have to adjust what you eat with veneers too much. For the most part, you can still enjoy the foods you love. But there are certain foods to avoid if you want your veneers to remain white and bright for many years.

What is safe to eat with veneers?

Veneers are thin shells of either porcelain or composite resin cemented to your tooth. Porcelain veneers are created from impressions that your dentist takes of your mouth. This process could take up to two weeks. During this time, you’ll be given temporary veneers to wear. 

Composite resin veneers, on the other hand, don’t require a wait time. To create composite veneers, your dentist will apply the material directly onto your tooth, hardening it with light. 

After the temporary veneers are placed, you will be advised to not eat hard candy as well as raw fruits and vegetables. Hard-to-chew meats, sticky foods such as caramel, and toasted bread should also be avoided. Coffee, tea, red wine, berries, cola, or ketchup could stain your temporary veneers and should therefore be limited. However, you can eat mashed potatoes, eggs, bananas, pasta, chicken, and other soft foods.

Once your permanent porcelain veneers are placed, you can expand your diet. You will still need to protect your veneers from staining and damage. The guide below should help you determine how, if needed, you can adjust your diet to protect your porcelain or composite resin veneers. 

What you should not eat with veneers:

• Hard foods. Hard candies such as jawbreakers as well as popcorn and nuts can chip the veneers. Unfortunately, the same applies to some raw fruits and vegetables, such as apples and raw carrots.
• Tough meats. Tough meats such as steak or bone-in meats are difficult to chew. If you eat steak, try to chew with your back teeth. You can also cut up the meat into easier-to-chew smaller pieces.
• Alcohol. Alcohol softens the bonding material. Without a firm bond, your veneer may chip and require a replacement.
• Dark-colored drinks. Teas, colas, coffees, and red wine can stain your veneers. You can drink through a straw so the beverage doesn’t come into direct contact with the veneers. Another option is to rinse and brush your teeth after drinking dark liquids.
• Tobacco. In addition to damaging your health, tobacco loosens the bonding material of veneers. Cigarettes and chewing tobacco can also discolor the veneers.

What you can eat with veneers:

• Gum. Gum won’t penetrate the bonding material, so it’s safe to chew. Veneers are typically not applied to molars, which are the teeth you use when you chew. To prevent cavities, opt for sugar-free gum.
• Corn on the cob. Yes, you can enjoy corn on the cob! Just be sure the corn is cooked and you don’t bite down too hard on the cob. 
• Pizza. That’s right — you don’t have to give up pizza! The soft toppings will not damage the veneers. However, be careful not to chew on the hard crusts.

Veneers require good dental hygiene. Brushing, flossing, and avoiding sugary and starchy foods will keep your veneers and natural teeth strong and white for a long, long time. 

Time for a brighter smile

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s La Mesa location today! Our highly trained dentists can check your teeth and see if you are a good candidate for veneers. Don’t live near our La Mesa, CA office? Find one of our other locations near you.

La Mesa, CA
8555 Fletcher Parkway 
Suite 102 
La Mesa, CA 91942