After having veneers placed, you should refrain from food consumption for several hours. This is a crucial initial period that allows your veneers to effectively stabilize.

Once this stabilization period is over and you are ready to return to your normal routine, you may need to modify certain eating habits. Regardless of how effectively your veneers are adhered to your teeth, extremely hard or chewy foods can potentially damage them. Additionally, acidic foods can deteriorate veneers.

Here is a list of types of foods and beverages that should be either avoided or consumed in moderation:

• Raw vegetables, hard candies, and ice
• Sticky candies such as caramel
• Alcohol, which when consumed excessively can compromise the adhesion of your veneers

Veneers are meant to resist stains. However, your teeth, and the materials used as adhesive, are unable to do so. This means that excessive consumption of foods that stain teeth could result in a perceptible difference between veneers and surrounding teeth. Here are some staining foods and drinks that you may wish to limit:

• Red wine
• Soda
• Coffee
• Tea
• Dark fruits
• Red sauces such as ketchup

If you can’t avoid the items above, be sure to brush your teeth immediately afterwards to keep stains at bay.