Veneers are often an incredible opportunity for people who have several issues with their teeth to address several of them at once, within as little as two appointments. However, like all cosmetic dentistry, they aren’t necessarily a substitute for good dental hygiene.
Some people wonder whether veneers could protect them from cavities, for example. If you’re curious, here’s more information about the relationship between the two.
Can I Still Get Cavities If I Have Veneers?
Unlike dental crowns, veneers only cover the front of your teeth. While the porcelain might provide you with a little bit of protection, the fact is that poor dental hygiene can still lead to decay behind or between your teeth.
In a sense this makes the situation worse; cavities between your teeth are hard to notice, even if you get frequent checkups. This makes dental hygiene and frequent dental x-rays even more important if you have veneers.
Can These Cavities Be Treated?
Of course, getting cavities in a tooth with a veneer on it presents unique challenges. You would probably need to talk to your cosmetic dentist to determine whether you are able to fill the cavity without removing the veneer. Depending on the location or the size of the decay, that may not be possible.
If you think that you may have a cavity on your veneer, you should talk to your dentist and see if that’s the case. This will give them an opportunity to do something about it.
How to Prevent Cavities
With all this in mind, it’s important to do what you can to prevent the development of cavities between and behind your veneers. Thankfully, doing that is fairly simple; just keep up with a solid dental hygiene routine.
Be sure to brush your veneers twice a day, every day. You should also carefully floss between them, as plaque deposits in these cracks have a large potential to contribute to gum disease and tooth decay. Just be sure to avoid mouthwash with alcohol in it, as this can potentially weaken the cement on your veneers.
About Our Practice
At Carlson Dental Group, we’re proud to be able to not only give you a gorgeous smile, but to provide the confidence and security that comes with great oral health. To do that, we ensure that we not only offer patients the highest quality of treatment, but that they can get it in a calming, comfortable office space. We also go the extra mile to ensure that each of our treatments is tailored to people’s individual needs.
If you have any questions about veneers and tooth decay, we can be reached at our website. You can also call our Bartram Park location at (904) 262-8409.