Veneers can be a life-changing improvement to your smile. While they do alter your smile’s appearance, a superb dental care routine shouldn’t change. Read on to learn why teeth with veneers can still be vulnerable to decay!
What Are Veneers?
Part of the magic of veneers is that they perfect your teeth without replacing them. Traditional veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are custom-made to fit over the front of a tooth. Some of the tooth’s outer layer, called the enamel, will need to be removed before a traditional veneer is attached. Then, it can be permanently bonded to the tooth. Lumineers® are another type of veneer, but for which the enamel does not need to be removed. These shells are ultra-thin and can be directly bonded to the teeth.
Can I Get Cavities with Veneers?
For both traditional veneers and Lumineers, the natural tooth stays in place, it’ll just have a brand new flawless surface. The veneer itself cannot decay. However, poor oral healthcare habits can still put the underlying tooth at risk for decay and cavities, as well as your gums for inflammation and infection. If left untreated, these issues can lead to tooth loss and bone loss.
The Perfect Dental Routine
Veneers are a big investment, so you’ll want to do all you can to protect and maintain your beautiful new smile. If your dental routine has been mediocre in the past, we hope your smile transformation will change it for the better! But if you’re considering veneers, it’s best to improve your dental habits now because proper oral care for veneers mirrors good oral care for teeth without veneers.
Brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time, breaking the 120 seconds into 30 seconds per quarter of the mouth. We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoridated toothpaste.
Daily brush your tongue.
Flossing every day is essential for cleaning between the teeth and under the gumline.
No great dental care regimen is complete without a biannual dental visit for a routine cleaning and exam.
In addition to these important oral hygiene steps, drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet high in nutritious foods and low in sugar, avoid tobacco products, and chew only sugar-free gum.
Veneers in Rochester Hills & St. Clair Shores
Ready to upgrade to a show-stopping smile? At Hillstream Dental, we would be thrilled to transform your smile and help you achieve a grin you absolutely love with veneers. To learn more about veneers, contact us today to set up a consultation!