If you plan to get veneers, you likely already know their effects. Namely, you grasp that the porcelain shells can whiten your teeth and hide their unseemly marks! That said, perhaps you’re not sure they can handle your daily cup of joe. After all, is it really okay to drink coffee with veneers? Well, it just so happens your Dallas dentist is here to answer that question. Read on, then, to learn how coffee affects veneers and how to keep it from staining the porcelain shells.
Veneers: The Ultimate Whiteners
When it comes to brightening smiles, veneers are excellent. Their results are both genuinely beautiful and fairly long-lasting.
You see, veneers are made of durable, high-grade porcelain. They’re thus better than enamel at resisting stain agents in foods and drinks. When well-maintained, in fact, they can stay white and bright for 15 years or more. This lifespan exceeds standard teeth whitening, which is only 1-3 years.
How Does Coffee Affect Veneers?
Thanks to their porcelain, veneers can withstand coffee in moderate amounts. The occasional cup of Java thus isn’t a threat. In other words, you can normally get your caffeine fix without risking stains.
Still, “stain-resistant” doesn’t mean “stain-proof.” Given enough exposure, veneers will discolor from coffee and other acidic drinks. This fact is especially true of temporary ones with acrylic or resin prone to staining.
Should your veneers suffer stains, only a dentist can fix the issue. More specifically, they can perform veneer polishing, reglazing, or replacement to re-whiten your smile.
How to Prevent Veneer Stains
You can, in fact, have coffee without getting veneer stains. You just need to follow the right habits! To that end, consider the tips listed below:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Like natural teeth, veneers will stay white with proper cleaning. So, remember to brush them twice daily and floss between them once daily.
- Avoid Stain Agents: Limit your intake of food and drinks with stain agents. These range from coffee itself to items like tomatoes, wine, tea, etc.
- Don’t Smoke: If possible, avoid (or quit) smoking. Tobacco products can stain the material that cements veneers to teeth. Furthermore, they can cause gum disease – a condition which, when present, forces dentists to remove veneers for treatment.
Drinking coffee with veneers is okay, but you should still be careful. Therefore, remember the tips above – they’ll keep your smile white for many years!
About the Author
Dr. Mariya Barnett is a dentist in Dallas, TX., having earned her dental doctorate from the University of Michigan. She also maintains membership in the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Given this background, you can trust her for comprehensive dentistry and emergency dental procedures. Your oral health is thus in good hands! Dr. Barnett currently practices at her self-titled clinic and is reachable on her website or by phone at (469)-874-0469.
