Veneers are thin, custom-made shells, often porcelain, bonded to the front surface of natural teeth to improve appearance. While durable, they are not indestructible. You can eat most foods with veneers, but certain dietary modifications and mindful habits are necessary to ensure their longevity and maintain their appearance.
Temporary Dietary Adjustments After Placement
The initial period requires caution, especially if wearing temporary veneers. These restorations use weaker, provisional cement, making them vulnerable to damage or dislodgement. For the first few days to two weeks, limit your diet strictly to soft foods requiring minimal chewing, such as mashed potatoes, pasta, or soft-cooked vegetables.
Avoid excessively hard, sticky, or chewy foods, as these can loosen the temporary shells before permanent placement. Also, be mindful of temperature extremes. Temporary materials may not fully insulate the natural tooth, leading to increased sensitivity when consuming very hot or ice-cold beverages.
Long-Term Foods to Limit or Avoid
Once permanent porcelain veneers are bonded, your diet can mostly return to normal, but some foods pose a risk of physical damage or discoloration. Hard items are the primary threat, capable of causing chips or fractures under excessive pressure.
Physical Damage Risks
Avoid chewing on ice, hard candies, popcorn kernels, and nuts entirely. Foods requiring forceful biting, such as raw carrots, hard apples, or tough bread crusts, should be cut into smaller pieces before eating.
Discoloration and Bonding Integrity
While porcelain resists staining, the bonding cement and surrounding natural teeth can discolor over time. Consume dark-pigmented substances in moderation, such as coffee, red wine, black tea, dark berries, and highly colored sauces. Acidic foods and drinks, including citrus fruits and sodas, should also be limited because they can gradually weaken the bonding material.
Protective Eating Habits and Maintenance
Protecting veneers requires adjusting eating technique and daily habits. Shift the majority of chewing to your back teeth (molars) to distribute force away from the front veneers. Cutting firm or tough foods into small pieces minimizes strain and preserves integrity.
Eliminate the habit of using teeth as tools for non-food items, such as tearing packages, biting fingernails, or holding pins, to prevent chipping or dislodgement. After consuming staining liquids, immediately rinsing your mouth with water helps reduce surface discoloration. Regular brushing with a non-abrasive toothpaste and daily flossing are necessary to keep the veneer margins clean and supporting gum tissue healthy.