So, you plan to get veneers for your teeth. You’re making a good choice – the treatment can give you a grin worthy of the red carpet. Even so, you may worry that a cup of joe would ruin things. One could wonder if coffee stains porcelain shells like it does teeth. Luckily, you can rest easy; your daily latte shouldn’t undo your treatment results. Your Pinehurst dentist will even explain. To that end, here’s why it’s okay to drink coffee with veneers.
Wait, What are Veneers Again?
Put simply, veneers are tooth-sized shells made of porcelain. Dentists place them on the fronts of teeth to hide a patient’s smile flaws. Such faults can include stains, chips, cracks, fractures, etc.
Once placed, veneers will make your smile look stunning. Their material is customized to match your other teeth in color, shape, and position. That way, each veneer has a gorgeous appearance and blends seamlessly with your grin. You can then expect them to last for fifteen years (or more) with proper care.
How Coffee Affects Veneers
The porcelain used for veneers is highly stain-resistant. As a result, the shells aren’t easily discolored by foods and drinks. They can handle coffee in moderate amounts. Even if you have it on a daily basis, you won’t be at major risk of stains.
Of course, remember that “stain-resistant” doesn’t mean “stain-proof.” Veneers can start discoloring if you have too much coffee or other acidic drinks. The odds are even worse if you’re wearing temporary ones made of acrylic or resin.
Ultimately, you can’t remove veneer stains yourself. Home oral care won’t solve the matter. Given these facts, you’ll need to see a dentist for veneer polishing, reglazing, or replacement.
How to Avoid Veneer Stains
As it turns out, you can reduce your risk of veneer stains. It’s simply a matter of using the right tips and tricks. In particular, consider those listed below:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene –Like natural teeth, veneers can stay white with proper cleaning. Just remember to brush twice daily and floss once daily.
- Limit Stain Agents – Don’t go overboard on food and drinks with stain agents. These include not only coffee but also tomatoes, wine, tea, etc.
- Don’t Smoke – Tobacco can stain the material that cements veneers to teeth. It also puts you at high risk of disease, which would force a dentist to remove your shells.
While it’s okay to drink coffee with veneers, you should still be careful. Talk to your dental provider about any concerns you may have.
About the Practice
Olmsted Village Dental Care is based in Pinehurst, NC. Led by Dr. Herbert Hudson, our practice seeks to make every patient’s smile healthy and dazzling. That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dental care. Of course, excellent veneers with high stain resistance are among these treatments. For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (910)-295-2750.