Can Veneers Get Cavities?
Let’s be honest! Dental veneers are great! You can have all sorts of cosmetic flaws in your smile and yet you can find a way to cover them with dental veneers and refresh the way you express your joy! You can get them on one or several teeth in a row or maybe both rows, since they can perfectly blend in with your natural tooth color. So far, it seems all good. But then an evil question slowly sneaks in: can I get cavities if I have veneers on my teeth?!
Contact our best dentist in Scarborough for advice on the relationship between dental veneers and cavities.
Related Articles: Do Veneers Damage Your Teeth?
The Nature of Veneers
In order to answer this question, we first need to know what exactly these cosmetic saviors are and how they are placed on the teeth. Veneers are shells. Thin ones, made of materials like porcelain and composite resin. The thinness of these shells allows dentists to put them on the surface of your tooth, and the characteristics of veneer materials make them look natural and lifelike. Dr. Reza Barimani is the best dentist for dental veneers in Scarborough. If you need advice, fill out the form below or call (647) 490-6888.
Read More: Porcelain Veneers in Scarborough
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Although veneers are thin, usually a layer of the tooth enamel needs to be removed from the tooth’s surface so that veneers can be placed there and look natural. This is true for porcelain and composite veneers. However, there are other types of veneers such as minimal-prep and no-prep ones that require minimal to zero enamel removal. You may not be aware of all the cosmetic imperfections that veneers can fix. The list consists of numerous entries:
- Spots
Veneers make your teeth look stainless.
- Discoloration
They make your teeth look all white again. No more yellowish teeth!
- Chips
They help you win back the integrity of your tooth.
- Cracks
They will recover your tooth from traumas that may have caused cracks.
- Misalignment
Veneers also come in handy for crooked teeth.
- Gaps
Some people like gaps between teeth and think it’s cool. If you’re not one of those, veneers are your good friend. If you need an emergency dentist in Scarborough, just call (647) 490-6888.
Our Services: Top Rated Toronto Emergency Dentist
How Are Cavities Formed?
There is still another topic that we need to cover in order to answer the sneaky question of whether you can get cavities with veneers or not. And that is basically understanding how cavities are formed.
Well, bacteria are the bad guys in this story. They reach their hostile goals by producing acids that interact with your tooth enamel and cause damage to it. The enamel becomes weaker, and you may wake up one day and notice dark spots or holes in your teeth. Congratulations, bacteria have started to dig in! Then comes bad breath and bad smell in your mouth, tooth pain, and root canal therapy!
But don’t panic. This won’t happen if you police the vandals by brushing and flossing regularly before food particles can accumulate on teeth and create plaque buildup. These plaques are the resources that bacteria feed on and continue to produce acids. If you don’t get rid of the plaque buildups, they turn into tartar which is a hardened form of plaque, and you can see it on your tooth as a film under the gumline.
So, the key to preventing cavities is to take care of your oral hygiene and clean your teeth regularly.
Can Veneers Cause Cavities?
Now that we’re familiar with the function of veneers and the mechanism through which cavities are formed, let’s finally move to answering THE question.
The answer is that veneers don’t safeguard your teeth against cavities. The veneer itself is not prone to cavities because it’s made of a resistant material. But the thing is that there is still tooth structure underneath, and it can be at the risk of cavities like any other tooth without veneers. And there are spots that have an increased chance of this event. Let’s take a deeper look:
The Back and Edges of the Tooth
As we mentioned earlier, the job of veneers is to cover the outer surface of the tooth. The back and the edges remain uncovered and if you don’t take care of their hygiene, plaque buildups in these areas can lead to cavities.
Margin of the Veneer
Plaque can collect at the edge where the veneer and the tooth meet. This intersection may turn into a haven for bacteria if it is not thoroughly cleansed, which could result in cavities.
Tooth Sensitivity
In the first part of the article, we mentioned that your Toronto dentist removes a small portion of your tooth enamel before they bond the veneer to the tooth’s surface. Because of this removed enamel, teeth might become more sensitive, and this sensitivity can make them more prone to decay, especially if you neglect your dental hygiene routine.
Gum Recession
Sometimes gums recede over time. In case it happens, a part of the teeth that was not originally covered by veneers is now exposed. The bad news is that this part is not protected by enamel, so it’s more sensitive.
Read More: Can You Get Braces if You Have Crowns or Veneers?
How to Prevent Cavities with Veneers?
- Cavities are unlikely if you pay attention to taking care of their hygiene:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Remember to carefully wash all the surfaces.
- Floss every day to remove food particles stuck between your teeth and along the gumline.
- Using an antibacterial mouthwash can add another line of defense against cavities by removing bacteria and plaque.
- Visit your dentist regularly:
- Your dentist can do professional teeth cleaning for you to deeply remove the plaque and tartar that might be overlooked.
- Your dentist checks everything and makes sure there is no problem, and if there is, they will take care of it before it’s too late.
- Pay attention to your diet:
- We know that sugary foods and sweets are divine. However, it’s best to limit your consumption of sugary and acidic foods, because they can aggravate tooth decay.
- You should also be careful with hard foods like ice, hard candies and nuts. These can chip and crack the tooth beneath the veneers.
Related Articles: Are Dental Veneers Good Options for Misaligned Teeth?
Signs that You Might Have Cavities Under or Around the Veneers
If you experience the following signs, you should know that they might indicate that there’s a cavity forming somewhere:
- If your teeth are more sensitive and you feel discomfort when they are exposed to hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages.
- If you have tooth pain.
- Dark spots or holes close to the veneer edges may be signs of cavities.
- Halitosis (recurrent bad breath) or an unpleasant taste in your mouth may indicate cavities or other dental problems.
If you notice any of these and you live in Scarborough, do not hesitate to contact us so our experts can fully assess your oral health and do anything that’s needed to take care of your teeth.
What Happens if I Get Cavities with Veneers?
If you think there might be something wrong with your teeth, you should see your dentist right away. Based on the extent of the damage, your dentist will choose the appropriate treatment.
If it’s a minor decay, it can be treated without removing the veneers. To stop further decay, your dentist will clean the area and fill it. If the decay is too severe, the veneers should be removed. After the treatment, you can get new veneers. In addition to dental veneers, this clinic offers special services for filling teeth. Contact Golden Mile Clinic for professional dental fillings in Scarborough.
Final Thoughts
Although veneers are a great way to improve the appearance of your smile, you should be careful about taking proper care of them, or there is the chance that you develop cavities in risky areas like the margin of the veneers and the back of the teeth. By doing what is needed to protect your teeth and veneers, you can maintain the long-term health of your natural teeth while also enjoying the cosmetic benefits of veneers.
If you have further questions about dental veneers, the process of getting them or concerns about taking care of them, contact Golden Mile Dental. Our helpful staff takes the time to provide you with full guidance.
