Porcelain veneers are extremely durable, so you can enjoy most of your favorite foods and beverages without having to worry about your veneers chipping, fading, or becoming otherwise compromised. However, there are a few food interactions that you should be aware of. Also, you’ll need to be extra careful if you have no-prep veneers or composite resin, as these are not as durable as porcelain.
If you’ve ever wondered about whether it’s safe to consume hard candy, corn on the cob, or even alcohol, we’re here to set the record straight.
Can I Eat an Apple With Veneers?
While most foods are safe to consume with porcelain veneers, you do need to be careful with hard foods like apples, raw carrots, and bone-in meats. It is possible to crack the porcelain when biting down on extremely hard foods, which is why it’s generally recommended that you chew these foods with your back teeth. If you have a more delicate type of veneer, like composite or Lumineers, you need to be especially careful, ideally avoiding these types of foods altogether.
Can I Eat Hard Candy With Veneers?
Jawbreakers and similar hard candies are the one type of food you should completely avoid if you have veneers. This goes for all types of veneers including porcelain, no-prep, composite, and temporaries. Hard candies that melt on their own (like Jolly Ranchers) are generally okay as long as you don’t bite into them while they’re still hard.
Can I Eat Pizza With Veneers?
You can eat pizza with permanent veneers. The pizza toppings and dough are unlikely to place any significant strain on the veneer or the bonding material. Be careful, though, when biting into hard pizza crusts, and avoid eating pizza while wearing temporary veneers (like snap-in veneers, which aren’t generally intended to be worn while eating).
Can I Eat Corn on the Cob With Veneers?
You can consume corn on the cob if you have permanent veneers. Just be careful not to bite too hard into the cob itself. The goal is to gently separate the corn from the surface of the cob. Also, corn on the cob should always be cooked; avoid consuming raw corn on the cob, as this may place added strain on the veneers.
Can I Eat Steak With Veneers?
You can eat steak if you have porcelain or other types of permanent veneers. It’s best to cut the meat into small pieces before consuming. For bone-in steaks (and all types of bone-in meats), avoid biting into or pulling against the bone itself, as this can place unnecessary strain on the veneers and potentially weaken the bonding material prematurely.
Can I Chew Gum With Veneers?
It is generally safe to chew gum if you have porcelain or composite veneers. The firm bonding material won’t allow gum to penetrate beneath the veneer, and most people chew gum with their molars anyway (which aren’t candidates for veneers). Just note that gum often contains sugar, which can contribute to cavities. If cavities infect the natural teeth where veneers are present, the integrity of the veneers may be compromised. It’s best to stick with sugarless gum if you chew on a regular basis.
Can I Eat Chips With Veneers?
Potato chips, corn chips, and tortilla chips are safe to eat in moderation if you have veneers, but you should be careful not to overdo it. While the chips themselves won’t damage your veneers, general poor nutrition can harm your teeth (and therefore the veneers). For example, diabetes has been linked to periodontal (gum) disease and tooth loss, partially due to the presence of higher blood sugar (glucose) levels in the saliva. Remember, everything in moderation.
Can I Drink Alcohol With Veneers?
If you have veneers, alcohol consumption should be kept to a minimum. Aside from the health concerns associated with moderate to heavy drinking, frequent alcohol consumption can also cause the bonding material to soften overtime.
This means that the veneer can potentially become unstable and require replacement before its time. And without a firm bond, veneers are also more vulnerable to chips and cracks. While a high-quality porcelain veneer (placed by a skilled cosmetic dentist) can often last 15 to 20 years with proper care, the lifespan may prove significantly shorter if you drink excessively.
Can I Smoke With Veneers?
Smoking and all forms of tobacco consumption should be avoided with veneers. Smoking carries significant health risks, and while it’s unlikely to stain the porcelain commonly used for veneers, it can discolor the surrounding teeth. As a result, your veneers may start to look unnatural over time as they no longer match the color of your other teeth. Cigarette smoke can also stain the bonding material used for veneers.
Can I Drink Coffee & Tea With Veneers?
Porcelain is virtually stain-proof, so it’s not likely to be discolored by coffee, tea, colas, red wine, and other dark liquids. It’s important to note, however, that excessive consumption of dark liquids may stain the bonding material, leaving you with a yellow or brown tinge along the edge of the tooth. While the risk of staining is generally low, it’s still best to drink these beverages with a straw so that the liquid passes directly to the mouth.
You have to be extra careful if you have composite veneers, as these lower-quality coverings can become dull or discolored over time. And if you have temporary veneers that are heat-activated, you’ll need to avoid all hot beverages.
Foods to Avoid With Permanent Veneers
Most foods are safe to consume when you have permanent veneers, especially if those veneers are made from high-quality porcelain. Porcelain is preferred by dentists because it holds its integrity extremely well, even when under constant stress. It also maintains its color and sheen. If you have or are considering porcelain veneers, you’ll just need to exercise some caution with the following items:
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Hard candy (avoid completely if chewing is required)
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Hard foods like carrots, apples, and bone-in meats (enjoy with caution)
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Dark liquids like red wine, black tea, and coffee (enjoy in moderation or use a straw)
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Tobacco products, which can contribute to staining and compromise overall health
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Alcoholic beverages, which can damage the bonding material (enjoy sparingly)
Foods to Avoid With Temporary Veneers
Because temporary veneers are especially prone to breakage, they require an extra level of care. If you have temporary veneers, you’ll want to avoid all of the items listed in the previous section as well as the following:
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Moderately hard foods like raw fruits, popcorn, and ice cubes
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Tough, bone-in meats
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Any food that can stain the teeth, including the aforementioned beverages as well as ketchup, berries, and other staining agents (enjoy in moderation)
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Toasted or hard breads
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Sticky foods like caramels
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Extremely cold and hot beverages, as these can cause some types of temporary veneers to expand and tighten on contact
Enjoy Your Favorite Foods With Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are incredibly popular in the cosmetic dentistry world. Influencers love them, and the general public is clamoring for them. But if you’re considering a veneers treatment, it pays to opt for high-quality porcelain. It may cost a bit more, but it affords you a more durable restoration with which you can enjoy almost all of your favorite foods and beverages without worry.
Of course you’ll want to follow some common-sense guidelines like minimizing alcohol and tobacco consumption, but you won’t have to spend every day agonizing over whether that next Granny Smith apple will undo your entire dental investment. You can just sit back, take a bite, and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
