Cosmetic Question: Can I Get Cavities with Veneers?

Are you feeling self-conscious about flaws in your smile, such as chips, cracks, slight gaps, stubborn stains, or mild misalignments? If so, you might be a good candidate for veneers. These thin, customized shells are crafted to match or improve upon your natural enamel, then are cemented to your teeth to mask imperfections and enhance your appearance.

These restorations are incredibly durable and can prevent certain types of dental damage, leading some patients to wonder whether they’re also protected from cavities. However, that’s usually not the case. Continue reading to learn more about it and how to help safeguard your smile!

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are small covers usually made of resilient ceramic, such as porcelain, which reflects light like enamel and can be designed to match the size, color, and shape of your natural teeth. Then, the prosthetics are bonded to the front surfaces to hide one or more aesthetic concerns that detract from your smile.  

Veneers are also coated with a durable glaze to resist chips, cracks, and stains, and can often last for 15+ years with proper care. That makes them an incredibly versatile and long-term cosmetic solution.

Do Veneers Protect My Teeth?

It’s true that these ceramic shells are durable enough to resist a certain amount of damage and discoloration. Once they’re cemented to your teeth, they can help shield the underlying enamel from the same.

However, cavities are caused by bacteria in your mouth that produce acids that gradually erode sections of enamel, and veneers only cover the front surfaces of your teeth. This leaves the remaining sides exposed and vulnerable to dental issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, or physical trauma. Unfortunately, these concerns can harm the enamel and connective tissues holding your veneers in place and cause them to fail.

How Can I Help Maintain My Dental Health?

Thankfully, there are several proactive ways you can help keep your mouth clean to avoid cavities and other oral problems with veneers, including:

• Implementing a routine. Brushing and flossing twice daily helps remove plaque and bacteria that can harm your teeth, gums, or restorations.
• Choosing foods carefully. Steering clear of anything too darkly pigmented, hard, crunchy, or sticky can help keep your grin in excellent condition.
• Scheduling routine dental visits. Visiting your dentist every 6 months for a standard examination and cleaning allows them to monitor your oral condition so they can catch and treat any problems before they get worse.

About the Practice

Patients at Souris Valley Dental Group benefit from a team of providers who are passionate about helping families in Minot build and maintain the most beautiful, healthiest versions of their smiles. They collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services, including veneers, using state-of-the-art technology for resilient, lifelike results intended to last. If you’re feeling self-conscious about your appearance and want to upgrade your grin, you can request a cosmetic consultation on the website or call the office at (701) 852-5595.