It makes sense why porcelain veneers are an extremely popular cosmetic dental treatment. In as few as two appointments, they can transform your smile and boost your confidence. Part of having them is being motivated to maintain their gleaming white appearance. With your diet factoring into that equation, keep reading to learn from your dentist in Ardmore if you can drink coffee with veneers.
Is Staining a Concern for Veneers?
Dark-pigmented beverages like red wine, cola, tea, and coffee are definitely staining threats to natural teeth. But does that also apply to porcelain veneers? They are very durable and stain-resistant compared to your teeth. However, that isn’t the same as stain-proof. Over time, a cup of coffee every day can dull them. Temporary veneers stain easier than your long-term ones. On that note, it’s best to avoid coffee while you need to wear your temporary set.
How Do You Respond If Your Veneers Get Stained?
If your veneers are stained, there’s no need to panic because you do have some solution options. Even though professional whitening treatments aren’t an effective solution, you can consider methods like:
- Reglazing veneers
- Replacing porcelain veneers
- Professional dental cleaning
- Specialized toothpaste
- Veneer polishing
How Can You Keep Your Smile Looking Like New?
Veneers may not stain as easily as natural teeth, but they can still become discolored over time. Fortunately, you can prevent staining by taking the following precautions:
- Maintain good oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day plus flossing and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash daily will eliminate stain-causing particles.
- Wear a mouthguard. Make sure you protect your teeth against oral injuries! Teeth that experience trauma or damage can become discolored due to ruined dentin.
- Limit your intake of dark-colored foods and drinks. The best way to avoid a discolored smile is by limiting your consumption of dark-colored foods and drinks like coffee, red wine, tea, and soy sauce. If you choose to consume these items, make sure you use a straw to minimize contact!
- Avoid smoking. It can stain them, causing the edges to look brownish.
If you’re a coffee-lover, it’s best to limit the amount you drink. By reducing your intake, you can help your veneers stay bright and healthy-looking for many years!
About the Author
Dr. Jamie Guthrie earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Oklahoma. She is a member of the American Dental Association. Dr. Guthrie enjoys learning about dentistry even in her downtime, and she completes more than 50 hours of continuing education annually to learn about topics such as sedation dentistry. If you are interested in veneers, during your first appointment she will develop your treatment plan, prep your teeth, and apply your temporary veneers. A couple of weeks later, the temporaries are removed, and your permanent ones are bonded. You can schedule a cosmetic consultation on her website or by calling (580) 224-9600.