5 Tips to Care for Your Dental Crowns

Getting a Dental Crown near Fairview?

Gum Recontouring

Dental crowns are highly effective in the repair and restoration of your teeth. They can help correct cosmetic issues, fix damaged or fractured teeth, and restore natural teeth’ strength, function, and appearance. Although placing a permanent crown is a relatively simple procedure, you still need to care for them to prevent future dental problems from occurring. Here are 5 tips you need to know to ensure your dental restoration is properly cared for and extend its lifespan.

Tip 1: Foods to avoid following a crown procedure

Following placing your dental crown, you should avoid some foods and drinks to protect the dental crowns and the overall health of your teeth. Prolonging the lifespan of both your artificial and natural teeth requires looking into what foods you should avoid.

    • Chewy food – Sticky foods like caramel, chocolates, and candy can trap bacteria and plaque beneath opalescent dental crowns. These sticky foods create a vacuum-like effect within your mouth and decrease your ability to clean your teeth underneath the crown.
    • Hard foods – If you regularly consume hard foods, they may dislodge or become loose over time. The crowns are not designed to withstand the stress of chewing on foods that are hard.
    • Sugary foods – Foods with high sugar content can cause a buildup of plaque below the gum-line – a stain that’s visible on teeth. Sugar can harm your teeth, even when you don’t directly ingest any. If not removed from the mouth, it can weaken the integrity of your enamel and lead to tooth decay.
    • Acidic foods and drinks – Prolonged exposure to acidic foods and beverages may cause the protective enamel on your teeth to erode. Dental crowns cover the surface of damaged teeth; however, some areas of your tooth are still exposed to acid. This may cause deterioration in those areas. If you must consume an acidic beverage, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward to neutralize the acid and prevent further damage.

 

Tip 2: Have Regular Dental Exams

Whether or not you have dental crowns, it’s important to have regular dental checkups and dental cleanings to ensure your teeth and crowns are in good shape and free from tooth decay. By staying proactive with regularly scheduled dental visits, Dr. Feng can spot any potential problems requiring treatment before minor issues become big. With proper dental oral hygiene and regular dental exams, dental crowns can last 10 years or longer.

Tip 3: Treat Bruxism (teeth clenching) if Necessary

Bruxism is characterized by unconscious clenching or grinding while you sleep. It causes major damage to your teeth over time if not treated because of excessive pressure. If you suffer from bruxism, it’s important to address this before getting a new crown. Otherwise, your new crown may get damaged due to a weak tooth. Dr. Feng can create a custom-made oral appliance such as a nightguard or an oral splint that reduces the stress and protects your teeth.

An oral appliance may be a solution for you where Dr. Feng can fabricate a custom-made oral appliance that supports your teeth and jaw. This device cushions the teeth and places the jaw in a more favorable position that helps prevent excessive tooth grinding or clenching, which can wear down restorations over time.

Tip 4: Practice good oral hygiene

Even though your dental crown won’t get a cavity, it doesn’t mean they are maintenance-free. Just like your natural teeth, they need to be cared for to prevent tooth decay. The best way to keep your crowns in top-notch condition is to practice good dental hygiene, such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and using an antibacterial mouthwash. Some may think that using dental floss is unnecessary however, not flossing is where plaque and bacteria can build up around the base of a tooth, which may cause tooth decay and gum disease. When flossing, the best way to floss is with a gentle sliding motion as you slide it between your teeth and below the crown margin to clean the gap between the crown edge and tooth. 

If you have a temporary crown, you should practice good oral hygiene. When flossing, it is important to be careful not to dislodge the temporary crown when flossing if it is not permanently attached.

Tip 5: Take care if your crown is damaged

Porcelain crowns are made to last for a long time, so avoiding bad habits and paying attention to them is important in making them last. Things like chewing ice and biting your nails can cause your dental crowns to weaken and break. If you see that your crown has significant wear or damage on it, see your family dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage. 

Have more questions about dental crowns tips and oral care?

Within two to three weeks, the tooth will be restored with a permanent crown that matches the rest of your surrounding teeth. During this time, you’ll wear a temporary crown to protect your tooth and maintain its shape. Avoid crunchy or hard foods with your temporary dental crown to make sure it doesn’t become damaged or dislodged.

It’s important that you preserve your dental crown as best as you can until you see your dentist. Depending on the tooth’s condition, a crown can be reset; however, in situations where this isn’t possible, you’ll need to get a temporary crown while you wait for a new crown to be made.

If you experience a cracked or chipped crown, visit your dentist as soon as possible as they may be able to repair it.

Please follow post-procedure instructions carefully. It is important that you do not eat, drink, smoke, or rinse for at least one to two hours following your procedure. Avoid hard or sticky foods for a few hours, and you can resume normal brushing/flossing habits by the end of the day.

Ready to Get Started? Here’s How

To learn more about getting a dental crown, or how they are used with dental implants, schedule an appointment at our Fairview, TX office. As your family dentist, Dr. Feng would be happy to go over your dental care or treatment options that would fit your needs and goals. Your oral health is critical to your overall health.

To schedule an appointment to get started, please call (972) 468-1440 or visit our website to book an appointment. We can’t wait to help you achieve your dental goals!