Before I got porcelain veneers in February, I was able to floss with no problem. I’m trying to take care of my veneers, but I worry about not being able to floss. Earlier this month, I had my six-month checkup and cleaning. I told my dentist about the flossing issue, but he didn’t seem to be concerned. I use a water flosser instead, but I’m not sure it is effective since the veneers are so tight. Should I be able to floss between my veneers? – Thank you. Rhea from Arkansas
Rhea,
Thank you for your question. We are concerned that you cannot floss between your veneers, and you should be concerned, too. After you get veneers, floss you easily glide between your tooth without catching or snagging.
What If You Cannot Floss Between Porcelain Veneers?
If you cannot floss between porcelain veneers, the result is the same as not being able to floss between natural teeth. Plaque buildup can promote gum irritation, inflammation, and disease.
Flossing is a vital part of oral hygiene because it is an effective way to remove plaque. The American Academy of Periodontology confirms that without flossing between your teeth, dental plaque causes inflammation. And advanced gum disease is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. So, flossing between your porcelain veneers is essential.
Why Can’t You Floss Between Your Porcelain Veneers?
If you cannot floss between your porcelain veneers, your dentist’s bonding technique may be at fault. When bonding veneers on, a skilled cosmetic dentist takes these precautions:
- Prime each tooth with etching and bonding agents
- Place bonding composite in each veneer and press the veneer onto each tooth
- Removes excess composite (bonding material) before hardening it
- Use an ultra-small light curing tip only on the center of the composite of each tooth
- Floss between teeth to remove excess composite and ensure surfaces between teeth are smooth
- Curing remaining composite with a larger curing tip to ensure a solid attachment
- Use fine polishing strips between teeth to smooth them
We recommend that you ask your dentist to correct your veneers so that you can floss between them with ease. If your dentist does not readily help you, schedule an appointment for a second opinion with an advanced cosmetic dentist who is concerned about helping you achieve healthy teeth and gums.
Dr. Jerome Cha, a Tulsa, OK accredited cosmetic dentist (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry), sponsors this post.