Will Drinking Coffee Stain My Porcelain Veneers?

Coffee is the most widely consumed beverage on the whole planet, with over 400 billion cups consumed each year. But as popular and beloved as coffee is, it’s also quite notorious for staining teeth! And if you’re a regular coffee fiend, you might be concerned about the impact your favorite drink has on your teeth—specifically, your porcelain veneers! Are your veneers impervious to staining, or is regular coffee consumption a major cause for concern? Keep reading to learn more about how veneers can sometimes become discolored and what you can do about it.

Can Porcelain Veneers Become Stained?

The short answer here is yes, porcelain veneers can become stained, even though they’re technically more resistant to staining than your natural teeth. Coffee and many other foods and drinks contain certain pigments that can discolor your veneers the same way they can discolor your natural teeth. But that’s not all that you need to worry about—smoking and using tobacco products can also cause severe discoloration along with a slew of other oral health problems. Realistically, anything that can stain your natural teeth has the potential to stain your veneers when used in excess or over an extended period of time.

What Can I Do About Stained Veneers?

Fortunately, just as there are solutions for stained teeth, there are also solutions for stained veneers. Although most patients don’t develop noticeable staining within the lifespan of their veneers (especially if they’re well-kept), there are answers for when it happens. Your dentist can clean and whiten your veneers using various tools and methods, including specialized toothpastes, veneer polish, and more. It’s also important to note that veneers don’t respond to typical whitening treatments or store-bought products, so don’t expect to be able to fix the issue yourself. In some cases, the veneers might even need to be replaced if they don’t respond well to being whitened.

Tips for Keeping Your Smile White & Bright

However, the best thing you can do for your veneers is simply preventing them from becoming stained or compromised in the first place. And this doesn’t necessarily mean giving up things like coffee! Consider the following tips:

• Brush your teeth and veneers twice every day for two minutes each time.
• Don’t skip out on flossing; it’s just as important as brushing!
• Avoid poor oral habits such as smoking or using tobacco products.
• Consider using a drinking straw to minimize the amount of contact between liquids and your veneers.
• Visit your dentist regularly for preventive care and teeth cleanings.
• Be mindful of what you eat and drink—other than coffee, items that can stain your veneers over time include things like ketchup, berries, tomatoes, red wines and sauces, sodas, tea, and more.

If you have porcelain veneers, it doesn’t mean that your coffee drinking days are over; although, cutting back and following these tips will certainly go a long way towards preserving their luster!

About the Author

Dr. Christopher J. Holland has over 30 years of experience in dentistry and is honored to serve the dental needs of patients in the San Antonio area. Dr. Holland received his dental doctorate from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and is a proud member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. His practice is pleased to offer many available services including cosmetic options like porcelain veneers. If you have any questions about veneers or would like to schedule a visit, you can contact Dr. Holland through his practice’s website or by phone: (210) 804-1558.