Removable veneers, also known as snap-on smiles or clip-on veneers, are a cosmetic and temporary solution to fix minor tooth flaws. They are an affordable and non-invasive alternative to porcelain veneers. Removable veneers easily clip over your existing teeth and can be taken on and off whenever needed. This allows you to put them in only when you want to show off your smile.
A common question people have about removable veneers is whether you can eat and drink with them on. There are a few factors to consider when deciding if you should wear your snap-on smiles while eating. In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about eating with removable veneers.
Can You Eat with Removable Veneers On?
Yes, you can eat and drink with removable veneers on. However, there are some limitations on what foods are ideal to consume with snap-on smiles in place.
Removable veneers are not permanently bonded to your teeth like traditional porcelain veneers. This means they can more easily become dislodged when you eat. Chewy, crunchy, and sticky foods are more likely to knock your snap-on veneers out of place or even pull them off entirely.
For this reason, you need to be careful when choosing what to eat with removable veneers in. Soft foods are recommended as they are less likely to disrupt your snap-on smiles.
Recommended Foods
Here are some foods that are generally safe to eat with removable veneers on:
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
- Mashed potatoes
- Protein shakes or smoothies
- Cottage cheese
- Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat
- Eggs
- Pudding
- Ice cream
- Jello
- Soups (avoid chunks)
In general, soft, smooth foods are less likely to disrupt your veneers. Try to avoid very hot, acidic, and sugary foods as these can stain or damage the veneers over time.
Foods to Avoid
Here are some foods it’s best to avoid when wearing removable veneers:
- Hard or crunchy foods like nuts, seeds, granola, crackers, pretzels, chips, popcorn, raw veggies
- Chewy foods like bagels, bread, pizza crust, rice, gum
- Sticky foods like peanut butter, caramel, gumdrops, dried fruit
- Hard candies or mints
- Corn on the cob
- Tough meats like steak that require a lot of chewing
Foods that are crunchy, sticky, or chewy are more likely to grab onto your veneers and potentially dislodge them. It’s best to remove your snap-on smiles before eating these types of foods.
Tips for Eating with Removable Veneers
If you want to keep your removable veneers in while eating, follow these tips to minimize damage or slippage:
- Stick to soft foods – Choose soups, eggs, yogurt, mashed potatoes and other soft foods that won’t tug at your veneers.
- Cut food into small pieces – Cutting food into tiny bites makes it easier to chew and avoids pulling on veneers.
- Remove veneers for sticky foods – Take out veneers before eating peanut butter, caramel, gum or other sticky foods that can grip veneers.
- Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods – Skip chips, nuts, bagels, corn on the cob, popcorn, and other hard foods.
- Watch out for bones – Be careful not to bite down directly on bones in fish and chicken, as this can damage veneers.
- Remove to drink hot beverages – Take out veneers when drinking very hot coffee, tea or other beverages to avoid warping.
- Rinse after eating – Gently rinse your mouth after eating to remove any leftover food particles under veneers.
- Use temporary adhesive – Ask your dentist about temporary adhesive to help keep veneers in place while eating.
Exercising some caution with food choices and preparation methods can allow you to keep your removable veneers in during meals. But it’s always safest to remove them for eating crunchy, sticky or hard foods that could potentially dislodge them. Check with your dentist for their recommendations on eating with your snap-on smiles.
Pros and Cons of Eating with Removable Veneers
There are both advantages and disadvantages to leaving your removable veneers in while eating:
Pros
- Convenience – It’s easier to leave veneers in than constantly taking them out and putting them back in when eating.
- Maintains appearance – Keeps your smile looking great throughout the meal.
- Avoids misplacement – Reduces chances of losing or misplacing veneers when removing repeatedly.
- Saves time – Taking veneers out and cleaning after each meal takes time and effort.
Cons
- Potential damage – Food particles and improper biting can damage removable veneers over time.
- Dislodging – Hard or sticky foods may loosen or pull veneers off teeth.
- Less effective chewing – Veneers can slightly impede chewing ability compared to natural teeth.
- Choking hazard – There’s a small risk of choking if veneers become dislodged.
Weighing the pros and cons can help determine if you should eat with your removable veneers in or take them out. For most people, the convenience outweighs the minimal risks. But be sure to check with your dentist for their specific advice.
Caring for Removable Veneers While Eating
If you do choose to eat while wearing your removable veneers, proper care is important to keep them looking their best:
- Clean after eating – Use a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to gently clean veneers after each meal.
- Rinse under water – Rinse veneers under water to remove food debris that may get lodged underneath.
- Don’t use teeth to open packages – Avoid using your veneers to rip open chip bags or packages to prevent cracking or chipping.
- Soak in denture cleaner – Remove veneers at night and soak in denture cleaner to sanitize and remove stains.
- Avoid sharing utensils – Don’t share utensils with others to prevent transferring oral bacteria onto veneers.
- See your dentist regularly – Visit your dentist every 6 months to inspect veneers and make any needed repairs.
Following these simple precautions will help keep your removable veneers clean and undamaged when eating meals. Proper maintenance is important to ensure snap-on smiles last long term.
Do Dentists Recommend Eating with Removable Veneers In?
Most dentists recommend removing your snap-on veneers for eating and drinking whenever possible. Since removable veneers are only temporarily adhered to your real teeth, they carry a higher risk of becoming dislodged or damaged during meals.
Chewing and biting force can weaken the dental adhesive and cause veneers to pop off while eating. Dentists suggest removing veneers before eating hard, crunchy, chewy, and sticky foods which are most likely to tug on the appliances.
However, many dentists acknowledge that taking veneers on and off constantly can be inconvenient. They may tell patients it’s acceptable to keep veneers in for soft foods, as long as they are careful.
It’s best to get your dentist’s advice tailored to your specific veneers and eating habits. Tell them what types of foods you plan to eat with veneers in so they can recommend the safest approach.
Risks of Eating with Removable Veneers
While removable veneers are quite durable, eating with them does carry some risks:
- Dislodging – Food can more easily pull veneers off teeth compared to permanent dental work.
- Fracturing – Hard foods may crack or fracture the veneer if you bite down forcefully.
- Chipping – Crunchy chips and nuts can potentially chip snap-on veneer edges.
- Warping – High heat from foods can warp and distort the shape of veneers over time.
- Staining – Coffee, tea, wine, and curry can permanently stain the surface of veneers.
- Bacteria accumulation – Food trapped under veneers can breed harmful bacteria on teeth.
To avoid damage when eating, carefully select softer foods and avoid very hard or chewy items. Rinse your mouth thoroughly after meals and clean veneers gently but thoroughly.
And remember, veneers aren’t indestructible. If you experience frequent cracking or damage, it may be safest to take them out for all meals. Consult your dentist if you notice your removable veneers sustaining injury from eating.
Foods That Can Damage Removable Veneers
Because removable veneers sit on top of your natural teeth, they are more vulnerable to damage from eating than dental crowns or implants. Certain foods pose a higher risk of fracturing, dislodging or staining your snap-on smiles. Foods to watch out for include:
- Hard candies – Jawbreakers, mints, hard candy
- Nuts – Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pine nuts
- Raw vegetables – Carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower
- Popcorn kernels
- Seeds
- Dried fruit
- Corn on the cob
- Chewing ice
- Pizza crust
- Hard pretzels or tortilla chips
- Hard bread – Bagels, French bread
- Sticky foods – Toffee, caramel, dried mango
Avoid biting directly into hard foods like raw apples, or tearing into sticky foods like beef jerky while wearing your veneers. Take them out before eating anything that could potentially tug on or dislodge them.
And use caution when eating potentially staining foods like wine, coffee, berries, and tomato sauce, which can permanently discolor veneers over time.
What Not to Eat with Removable Veneers – A Recap
Here’s a quick recap of the main food and drinks you should avoid consuming while wearing removable veneers:
- Hard candy or mints
- Crunchy raw vegetables
- Nuts and seeds
- Popcorn
- Dried fruit like raisins
- Corn on the cob
- Pizza crust or French bread
- Sticky candy like caramel
- Chewy foods like gum, bagels, or beef jerky
- Very hot drinks that can warp veneers
- Dark-pigmented foods and drinks that stain like wine, coffee, soy sauce
Stick to softer, low-risk foods when eating with veneers in. And if in doubt – take them out! Removing your snap-on smiles for eating is the best way to keep them damage-free.
What Foods Should You Avoid with Removable Veneers? – Summary
To summarize, here are the main types of foods to avoid when wearing removable veneers:
- Hard, crunchy foods – Such as chips, nuts, seeds, vegetables, popcorn can fracture or dislodge veneers.
- Chewy, sticky foods – Like gum, caramel, bread, dried fruit can pull veneers off teeth.
- Tough, fibrous foods – Such as steak, jerky, or corn on the cob make veneers more likely to pop off.
- Very hot foods – Can cause veneers to expand and become warped or loosened.
- Staining foods – Coffee, wine, berries, and soy sauce can permanently stain veneers.
Choose soft, smooth foods without dyes or pigments. Cut food into small pieces. Avoid chewing ice or opening packages with veneers. And talk to your dentist about any concerns with eating and removable veneers. With some care, you can eat many foods while keeping your snap-on smile secure.
Conclusion
Removable veneers provide a simple way to improve the look of your smile temporarily. While they can be worn for some types of eating and drinking, you need to be careful to avoid damage. Hard, sticky, and chewy foods pose the greatest risk of dislodging or breaking snap-on veneers. It’s safest to remove veneers before consuming these foods.
For softer foods, you may be able to keep veneers in place. Take small bites, chew gently, avoid staining foods and rinse thoroughly after eating. Check with your dentist to see if they recommend wearing your specific veneers during meals. With proper care, removable veneers can be a convenient cosmetic solution while still allowing you to eat many of your favorite foods.
