Can Veneers Get Cavities?

You know that regular brushing and flossing are the foundation of good oral hygiene. But, if you have veneers, do you still need to be that concerned with your oral hygiene? After all, veneers are made of synthetic materials and they don't decay, right?

Here's the truth about veneers and whether they can get cavities or not.

No, Veneers Can't Get Cavities, But…

So, veneers themselves cannot get cavities because they are made of porcelain or resin composite materials, not biological tissue. So, plaque buildup and bacteria do not affect them.

However, veneers are bonded to your natural teeth, which means that the natural tooth structure underneath the veneer can still develop decay.

How Veneers Work

To understand why your oral health could still be affected even if you have veneers, it's important to know how they work.

Veneers are like new faces for your teeth. Your Solana Beach dentist will prepare the teeth, meaning that they will shave a bit of enamel off, before placing the veneer. Although these thin shells will cover most of the tooth's surface, the base where the natural tooth meets the gum line will still be exposed.

If you neglect your oral hygiene, bacteria can accumulate there, slowly eating their way inside the tooth's structure and gum line. Over time, you can develop tooth decay and gum disease.

How to Maintain Good Oral Health When You Have Veneers

Veneers are not completely replacing your teeth. They are meant to enhance the appearance of your smile but still require the same care as natural teeth. That means that you need to:

Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing every day.
Get routine dental check-ups for preventive care
Get regular professional cleanings to maintain the color of your veneers longer
Limit the consumption of staining foods
Drink staining beverages through a straw
Don't use your teeth as tools to avoid damaging your veneers

What Happens If My Teeth Get Decayed?

If you get cavities under your veneers, Dr. Alex Erwin will have to assess the situation and determine the best course of action. In some cases, he may be able to clean the tooth without removing the veneer. However, more often than not, it's necessary to take the veneers off to treat the tooth and then get a new set.

As you can see, not caring for your oral health will affect the longevity of your veneers and cost you more in the long run as you will have to get new veneers to restore your smile.