Can You Get Cavities with Veneers?

Many people choose veneers to get a brighter, more even smile. Denal veneers cover the front of your teeth, so it’s easy to think they might protect you from cavities. But can you still get cavities with veneers? The short answer is yes, it’s still possible. In this blog, we’ll explain how cavities can develop with veneers, what signs to look out for, and how you can prevent this problem and keep your smile healthy for years.

Can Veneers Get Cavities?

Veneers don’t safeguard your teeth against cavities. Also, 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 risk of cavities like any other tooth without veneers. To deeply understand veneers and cavities, read the following sections and learn why you still get cavities with veneers, despite the fact that these shells are not prone to this dental issue.

Related Articles: Do Veneers Damage Your Teeth?

How Do Dental Veneers Work?

In order to answer the first question, we 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.

Get more familiar with our dental veneer services: Porcelain Veneers in Scarborough

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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, bad smell in your mouth, and tooth pain, requiring you to get 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 teeth 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.

What Causes Cavities with Veneers?

Veneers only cover the front surface of your teeth, but the rest of your natural tooth is still exposed. Cavities usually form when plaque and bacteria build up around the edges of the veneer or on the parts of the tooth that aren’t covered. Regarding this, let’s explore the factors leading to this problem in detail.

Poor Dental Hygiene

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 buildup 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 the 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. If this 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?

• 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.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash to add another line of defense against cavities by removing bacteria and plaque.
• Visit your dentist regularly for a thorough examination of your dental health and professional teeth cleaning in Toronto to remove any plaque that may have been 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.
• Limit your consumption of sugary and acidic foods, as they can aggravate tooth decay.
• 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 (bad breath) or an unpleasant taste in your mouth may indicate cavities or other dental problems.

What Happens if I Get Cavities with Veneers?

Getting a cavity with veneers is more common than people think, since veneers only cover the front of the teeth and don’t make them immune to decay. If you develop a cavity, your dentist will first check how deep and serious it is. For example, small cavities near the edges of the veneer may sometimes be fixed with a simple dental filling,

However, if the decay is underneath the veneer or more advanced, the veneer will need to be removed so the dentist can reach the damaged area. After the cavity is treated and the tooth is healthy again, your dentist may recommend placing a new veneer. In severe cases where too much natural tooth structure is lost, other options like crowns may be suggested instead.

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.

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