The original purpose of veneers was to temporarily improve the smiles of movie stars so their teeth would look more stunning on the silver screen. Over time, they became more widely available to the average person and were designed to last longer, too. Today, veneers are used to correct a range of cosmetic issues, including gaps, cracks, misaligned teeth, chips, discoloration, and misshapen pearly whites. Though they cover up part of the teeth, this doesn’t mean that you no longer have to care for your pearly whites at home. Read on to learn more about maintaining your veneers and whether you can still get cavities if you have them.
Can You Still Get Cavities with Veneers?
Veneers are made from dental-grade porcelain, which means that they can’t develop cavities. Even so, these thin shells only cover the front surface of your teeth. Since the rest of the tooth is exposed, this means that it’s still vulnerable to decay. If the teeth that they’re attached to develop cavities, your veneers will need to be removed so your dentist can treat the tooth.
5 Tips for Maintaining Your Veneers
Having your veneers removed so your dentist can treat underlying cavities will cost more time and money than avoiding decay in the first place. To help you prevent problems that will jeopardize your new smile, some tips for maintaining veneers include:
- Have a good oral hygiene routine – Brush your teeth for two minutes in the morning and at night with a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid scratching your veneers. You should also use toothpaste that contains fluoride to strengthen your smile against decay. Floss at least once daily, preferably after your last meal.
- Use the right products – Using toothpaste that contains abrasives can dull the glossy surface of veneers, so ask your dentist for recommendations on the best kind to use
- Visit your dentist regularly – Biannual visits to the dentist are key to maintaining your veneers. During these appointments, your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned to remove buildups of plaque and tartar. Your dentist will then examine your mouth to make sure there aren’t any oral health issues that need to be treated to prevent issues with your veneers.
- Eat with caution – Foods that are sticky or hard likecrunchy bread, taffy, and peanut brittle can damage your veneers or cause them to become loose, so either avoid them completely or exercise caution.
- Quit unhealthy habits – Using your teeth to open bottles and packages, smoking cigarettes, and chewing on ice cubes and objects can also damage your veneers, so stop these harmful oral health habits immediately to keep your teeth looking lovely.
Though you can still get cavities if you have porcelain veneers, following the above tips will help you avoid this issue. By keeping your smile healthy, you’ll be able to enjoy 15 or more years of gorgeous, uniform pearly whites!
About the Practice
If you live in the San Diego area and are in search of an exceptional dentist for the whole family, look no further than Dr. Greg Friedman, Dr. Cody Cohen, and their highly skilled team at Mod Squad Dental. They offer a range of restorative, preventive, and cosmetic services, including porcelain veneers to cover up issues with your pearly whites so you can have a more beautiful smile. Call Mod Squad Dental at (858) 682-2394 or visit their website for more information on porcelain veneers or to schedule an appointment.
