5 Foods & Beverages Never To Consume After Having Porcelain Veneers

Many foods and drinks are well known to stain the teeth, and are often avoided by individuals who want to have the brightest, whitest teeth possible. However, many people stop actively working to keep their teeth white after they get porcelain veneers, simply because they assume that the veneers are made to stay white. While it's true that veneers from cosmetic dentistry specialists  are much less porous than natural tooth enamel, they are still subject to staining. Here are 5 foods and beverages you never want to consume after you get porcelain veneers. 

1. Coffee 

Coffee is one of the primary beverages that should be avoided if you want to keep your teeth as white as possible. Although porcelain veneers are made to resist staining, coffee and other dark beverages can cause yellowing of the natural tooth behind the veneer and may even affect the bonding material that is used to adhere the veneer to your natural tooth. 

2. Red Wine & Other Types of Alcohol

Not surprisingly, red wine will also stain the teeth and can be particularly harmful to porcelain veneers due to its alcohol content. In fact, any type of alcohol may have a negative impact on your veneers. Over time, alcohol will soften the bonding material that is used to affix the veneers to the teeth, and may even result in the veneer coming loose when high quantities of alchohol are consumed on a regular basis. 

3. Mustard 

Mustard, being bright yellow and highly susceptible to cause staining, is another food to avoid if you want to keep your veneers white and looking great. While mustard in small quantities and eaten infrequently is unlikely to cause problems, eating copious amounts of mustard and neglecting to rinse the mouth out afterwards can contribute to the yellowing of your veneers. However, avoiding mustard altogether when possible can reduce the chances that it will contribute to the staining or yellowing of your new dental work.

4. Soy Sauce 

Soy sauce is dark in color, which automatically makes it a food you want to avoid after you've had your dentist put on porcelain veneers. However, there are some soy sauces that are worse for the teeth than others, namely ones that are more than just soy sauce. Teryaki sauces, glazes and the like are syrupy and have a high sugar content, which makes them stick to the veneers more easily than just plain soy sauce. 

5. Colas 

Dark colas, like coffee, have the potential to stain the teeth under your veneers, and can also cause premature yellowing of the veneers themselves. Additionally, colas are very acidic and can be problematic for all types of dental work, including dental veneers. The sugar content in colas can also be damaging to the teeth underneath your veneers, and prolonged daily exposure to colas can cause you to get cavities. If you get cavities in the teeth underneath the veneers, they will need to be filled and in some cases, the veneer will need to be removed and a new one put in its place. This can be both costly and inconvenient. 

If you do choose to consume foods and beverages that are known to be damaging to porcelain veneers, consider brushing and flossing your teeth immediately afterwards. If you're unable to do so, you can at the very least rinse your mouth out with plain water to remove as many traces of the food or beverage as possible. If you have any questions about how to care for your porcelain veneers, visit a cosmetic dentistry professional to discuss how you can keep your veneers looking great for as long as possible after the procedure.