Protecting Your Investment: the Dos and Don'ts of Eating with Crown Veneers
Veneers can be an excellent option for those looking for a mouth makeover. They are an investment, and like any investment you make, you'll want to ensure you get maximum value for your money. If you've just bought a lovely set of crown veneers, or you're about to have some fitted, read on. This guide will give you the essential lowdown so you can make sure your pearly whites remain just that — pearly white. Here's what you should and shouldn't be eating and how to care for your newly refurbished teeth.
A Small Note of Reassurance
Crown veneers are as strong as your natural teeth underneath. Thus, they are no more prone to damage than actual teeth. That said, natural teeth can be chipped and broken — you should be as careful with your new crown veneers as you would be with your original teeth.
Guard against Foods and Drinks That Stain and Damage
Like your teeth, veneers can be stained. You should avoid the following food and drink items if at all possible. Dark liquids such as cola, coffee, black teas and red wines may cause staining. Alcohol should be limited due to its ability to ruin the bonding material of your veneers. You should also be careful with hard foods like ice, boiled sweets and those popcorn kernels at the bottom of the bag that fail to pop. You may find it too difficult to stop eating or drinking some of these foods and beverages. If so, you should make sure you rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth after consuming strong-coloured food items.
General Aftercare for Your New Veneers
It's possible to experience a degree of increased sensitivity after having crown veneers fitted. If this happens, you should avoid hot and cold beverages and foods for a while. Cutting your food into smaller pieces will help by reducing the amount of chewing you need to do when you eat. Try to limit forceful chewing by eating appropriate foods until the sensitivity subsides, and use back teeth when eating harder foods instead of the sensitive front ones.
Although your natural teeth are no longer exposed, you shouldn't think that they're immune to cavities or damage. You still need to brush and floss daily to keep your teeth healthy. You'll also need to keep up with regular dental check-ups. If you adhere to these rules, your crown veneers can last for many years.