You’re a regular coffee fiend; that daily cup (or pot) of Joe fuels you throughout all your escapades. But you might be wondering about the effect that your favorite beverage has on veneers—you’ve been thinking about getting them to enhance your smile, but you’re worried they’re destined to become stained and yellow. Here’s what you need to know about drinking coffee with veneers.
Can Veneers Become Stained?
It’s common knowledge that coffee, tea, wine, soda, and other drinks and foods can potentially stain your teeth. Fortunately, porcelain veneers are a solution to this; they are extremely durable and stain-resistant compared to natural teeth and provide your smile with a vibrant dazzle.
However, that doesn’t mean they’re totally impervious to discoloration; if you aren’t careful, your veneers can become discolored. Over time, certain pigments that are present in foods and beverages—including coffee—can dull and tarnish your veneers. Smoking and tobacco use are also connected to staining; realistically, almost anything that can stain your natural teeth has the possibility of afflicting your veneers, too.
In some cases, patients must wear temporary veneers for a few weeks prior to receiving their final veneers; both temporary and permanent veneers are susceptible to staining, although temporary ones can stain much more easily.
Tips For Preventing Staining
There are certain precautions you can take to ensure that your veneers stay white for a long time:
- Brush and floss daily.
- Avoid smoking and using tobacco.
- Minimize the consumption of food and drinks with staining agents.
- Drink your beverages through a straw to minimize contact with your teeth/veneers.
- Regularly visit the dentist for cleanings and checkups.
Addressing Stained Veneers
There’s a chance that you might experience discoloration in your veneers—when this happens, there is no need to panic! Although most patients don’t develop noticeable staining within the lifespan of their veneers, there are solutions for when it happens. Your dentist can provide a professional cleaning and use high-grade tools and equipment to whiten your veneers.
There are also specialized toothpastes and polishes that exist which offer help. It is important to note that veneers do not respond well to typical whitening treatments, meaning that using an average store-bought product meant for teeth is not advisable.
If you have veneers, it doesn’t mean that your coffee drinking days are over—although, it might mean that you should consider cutting back a little bit. Your veneers can only stay dazzling white if you take good care of them!
About the Author
Dr. Steven H. Feit has served patients in the greater Boca Raton community for over 30 years. Dr. Feit received his DMD from the New Jersey Dental School and is a member of many professional organizations, including the American Dental Association and the Florida Dental Association, among others. His practice offers a wide range of services including cosmetic, preventive, restorative, and emergency dentistry. If you have any questions about the article or would like to schedule an appointment, please reach out to Dr. Feit through his website or by telephone: (561) 338-7535.