If years of not brushing your teeth have left them unpleasant to look at, you can fix the problem by replacing them with porcelain veneers. However, you must learn good brushing habits if you want the veneers to last, as cavities can lead to them having to be removed. Below, learn how wearing porcelain veneers can still lead to cavities and why they may have to be removed if you get cavities.

How Can a Person Wearing Porcelain Veneers Get Cavities?

You must understand that although porcelain veneers are not natural, they are attached to a small portion of natural enamel. Neglecting to brush your teeth will lead to plaque getting on the natural enamel, and eventually causing it to decay. If you don't seek help from a dentist soon enough, a root canal may be required to treat the problem.

A root canal is necessary if the cavities end up so deep that the pump chamber is exposed. The pulp chamber is the lower area in each of your teeth that contains nerves and blood vessels. Bacteria from plaque can cause the pulp chamber to become infected, which requires the infected pulp being removed. You don't want a root canal after getting veneers because the veneers will have to be removed for the dental work to be done.

Why Do Porcelain Veneers Have to be Removed to Treat Cavities?

Removing porcelain veneers to treat cavities is only necessary if the cavities are deep. Small cavities are often able to be treated by a dentist simply filling in the hole with dental putty, which should be sufficient enough if you take care of your teeth. If you have an infection along with the cavity, the dentist will also prescribe antibiotics to get rid of it.

The reason deep cavities requiring a root canal will lead to the veneers being removed is because it is the only way the pulp chamber can be treated. The dentist will remove the pulp and fill the cavity before bacteria from the plaque makes it into your bloodstream. After the root canal is performed, you can get a new veneer if the price is within your budget.

It is important for you to get in the habit of taking care of your teeth after getting veneers. Seek regular cleanings from a dentist at a place like HC Dentistry to make sure plaque won't destroy the enamel of your teeth and cause deep cavities!