Teeth that are chipped, cracked, gapped, misshapen, discolored, or have minor alignment problems may make it difficult for you to love and feel confident in your smile. Porcelain veneers offer a solution by covering the entire front part of the teeth and masking these imperfections. These thin shells are color-matched to your smile and highly resistant to staining, but can they become discolored from drinking coffee? Continue reading to learn about whether you can still have your morning cup if you have veneers.
Can I Drink Coffee If I Have Veneers?
Veneers are made from dental-grade porcelain, which is nom-porous. This makes it highly resistant to discoloration since it can’t absorb stains in the same way as your natural teeth. For this reason, this means you can drink tea, coffee, and other dark or highly pigmented beverages without issue. As durable and resistant to staining as porcelain veneers are, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible for them to become discolored over time.
What Can Stain Veneers?
Veneers can continue looking lovely for upwards of 15 years, but they can still become stained or discolored from:
- Abrasives – If you use a toothbrush that doesn’t have soft bristles or a toothpaste that contains abrasives like charcoal or baking soda, this can lead to scratches on your veneers. These imperfections collect stains from coffee, tea, and other highly-pigmented foods and drinks.
- Bad habits – If you smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products, this may also cause your veneers to stain. This can also cause discoloration to your natural teeth as well as a range of oral health issues.
4 Tips to Prevent Stains on Your Veneers
If you can’t start your day without your morning cup of coffee, you’ll want to take extra care to ensure that your new smile lasts. A few ways to make sure your porcelain veneers stay bright and white for as long as possible include:
- Limit stain-causers – Limit the amount of cola, coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and other stain-causing foods and drinks that you consume. Sip beverages through a straw so they have less contact with your veneers.
- Rinse your mouth out – Rinse with water after you finish your morning cup of coffee to prevent it from sitting on your teeth for a long time.
- Avoid tobacco products – Since cigarettes and other tobacco products can stain your teeth and veneers, it’s best to avoid them.
- Practice good dental hygiene – Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste to brush twice per day for two minutes each time. Floss every night before bed to dislodge food particles stuck between your teeth and remove plaque buildup.
Another way to prevent veneer staining is to see your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. This will allow them to make sure your restorations look okay so your smile lasts for years to come!
About the Author
Dr. Tommy Murph and his team at American Dental Care offer a range of exceptional oral health services to patients in the Conway area so they can receive the treatments they need to maintain good oral health. They also offer cosmetic treatments like porcelain veneers to cover up imperfections for a gorgeous, brag-worthy grin. To learn more about their services or to man an appointment with American Dental Care, call their office at (843) 488-4357 or visit their website.