Random thing I learned from my dentist: apparently, eating really crunchy or super sticky stuff can mess with the bonding on veneers. Like, I always thought the porcelain was the only thing to worry about, but the gluey part underneath is a whole other story. My dentist was side-eyeing my peanut brittle habit and said to maybe, you know, chill with the jawbreaker-level snacks. Also, I found out red wine and curry can stain the edges (not the actual veneer, but where it meets your tooth), which is kind of a bummer if you’re into spicy food or, well, wine.
Anyone else surprised by what you’re “not supposed to” eat with veneers? Or did you find some foods actually work better now? I’ve weirdly started eating more yogurt and soft stuff just to be safe, but I do miss chomping into crunchy apples. Curious what swaps people have made or if you just ignore the rules and eat what you want…
My teenager got veneers last year after a sports accident, and honestly, I was a little surprised at how many “off-limits” foods the dentist mentioned. But we found that you don’t always have to give up crunchy stuff completely. Instead of biting straight into apples, my kid just slices them thin or eats softer varieties—seems to work fine so far. Sticky candies are still a no-go, but we haven’t had any real issues with things like toast or crackers. I think moderation and being a bit careful go a long way, rather than cutting out everything fun.
It’s interesting how dentists seem to give you that long “don’t eat this” list, but in reality, it’s a lot more flexible, especially with some tweaks. I got veneers on my front teeth after years of grinding and a couple chips, and I remember worrying I’d have to ditch half my usual snacks. But like you mentioned, it’s more about how you eat than what you eat. For example, I still eat nuts and carrots, but I chop or slice them up instead of biting straight in. Same with crusty bread—tear it up first, don’t just rip off a chunk with your teeth.
One thing that surprised me was popcorn. I thought it’d be fine, but those unpopped kernels are no joke... nearly cracked a veneer once before I realized. Have you found any foods that were unexpectedly tough on veneers? Or maybe something you thought would be an issue but turned out totally fine? Just curious how much varies person to person, since everyone’s eating habits are a bit different.
I totally relate to the anxiety over that “don’t eat” list. I remember staring at it after my veneer appointment, thinking, “Well, there goes my grocery budget.” I’m pretty cautious by nature (and honestly, veneers aren’t cheap), so I was terrified of messing them up and having to pay for a fix.
Popcorn was a big surprise for me too. I used to love kettle corn, but after I bit down on a rogue kernel and felt that weird jolt through my front teeth, I just stopped eating it altogether. Not worth the stress or the potential repair bill. Same with really hard pretzels—those little twists are way more dangerous than they look.
What’s funny is, apples were on my “never again” list at first. My dentist warned me about biting into whole apples, so I started slicing them thin and eating them with a fork like some kind of fancy person. Turns out, as long as I avoid biting straight in, they’re totally fine. It’s weird how much of it is just changing habits instead of cutting things out completely.
Sticky foods freaked me out at first too. I was convinced caramel would rip a veneer right off. But honestly, I’ve eaten soft caramels and even the occasional piece of taffy without any issues—just chewing slowly and using my back teeth.
I still get nervous about anything really crunchy or sticky, especially since my insurance barely covers cosmetic stuff. Sometimes I feel like I’m overthinking every snack, but it’s gotten easier with time. The biggest thing for me has been learning to slow down and not just chomp away like before.
Funny enough, the one thing I thought would be fine—ice—was a total no-go. Used to chew on ice all the time without thinking, but now? Nope. Not risking it.
It’s definitely a learning curve, but after a while you kind of figure out what works for you (and your wallet).
Red wine stains at the edges? That’s wild—I always assumed porcelain = invincible, so I was basically living my best merlot life until my hygienist gave me the “maybe not every night” talk. I’ve turned into that person who sips everything through a straw, even coffee, which feels a little ridiculous but hey, fewer touch-ups. Also, I relate to the popcorn anxiety—one unpopped kernel and my heart rate doubles. Oddly enough, I’ve started eating more bananas. Not glamorous, but zero veneer drama.
