Contact Us Today!
How to Take Care of A Crown
Posted on February 23rd, 2023
The Importance of Dental Crown Care
Dental crowns, also called tooth caps, are one of the most versatile, popular dental treatments used in both cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry. Dental crowns are designed to protect vulnerable teeth, repair damage, maintain smile function, and act as the final step in various procedures, including dental implants and bridges. This is why it’s so important to take care of your dental crowns, just as you would your natural teeth.
While crowns are made to last and function like normal teeth, their durability should not be taken for granted. If you have recently received a new crown, are about to have a permanent crown applied, or simply want to know how to take care of dental crowns you’ve had for some time, continue reading to learn more about maintaining these types of dental restorations.
How to Care for Dental Crowns
Whether you have a molar that was crowned after a root canal, or capped front teeth that were repaired after a dental injury, taking care of your dental crowns is simple with a little forethought and by following some easy tips.
Tips for How to Maintain Dental Crowns
- Avoid Crunchy and Sticky Foods – Sometimes, the best part about eating a chip is the crunch. However, crunchy, sticky, and hard foods can mean danger for not only your natural teeth, but crowned teeth, as well. Things like hard candy, nuts, popcorn, and even ice can increase the risk of chipping. Additionally, sticky foods like gum, toffee, caramel, etc., can potentially loosen dental crowns by getting stuck between the crown and the gum tissue, which may also increase the risk of developing cavities around or under the restoration.
- Take Proper Care of Your Smile – Taking care of your smile by flossing and brushing your teeth twice a day is essential to ensuring your dental crown lasts for as long as possible. Without good oral hygiene, plaque can build up and slowly deteriorate nearby teeth and threaten the health of supportive gum tissue. Additionally, flossing prevents food particles from gathering between crowns and neighboring teeth or the gum line, which could reduce the lifespan of your crown and cause tooth decay.
- Avoid Foods that Stain Teeth – Foods and beverages that commonly stain teeth can potentially cause crown discoloration. Even though dental crowns are stain resistant, frequently drinking things like red wine, coffee, and tea, or eating brightly colored foods such as curry, berries, balsamic vinegar, candy, etc. can eventually lead to stains on your dental crowns.
- Don’t Use Your Teeth for Everything – Using your teeth to open letters and packages, rip tape, or even chew on pen caps and toothpicks can wear down both your natural teeth and ceramic crowns.
- Protect Against Bruxism – Bruxism, also known as tooth grinding, can wear down your teeth and potentially damage dental crowns. Wearing a night guard, managing stress, taking care of dental issues as quickly as possible, and finding other ways to reduce teeth grinding can protect your crowns from cracks, chips, and premature erosion.
- Talk to Your Dentist About Lasting Sensitivity – It’s normal for a tooth that’s crowned to be sensitive for a while after initial application. However, if you’re experiencing crown sensitivity months after your procedure, talk to your dentist; the crown may need adjustment or the root of the tooth might be damaged.
Contact Windy City Family Dental for Restorative Dentistry in Chicago, IL
If you’re searching for a cosmetic dentist in Chicago, IL who provides dental restorations that help preserve and improve your oral health, Windy City Family Dental is here for you. Whether you need dental hygiene counseling, advice on how to take care of a dental crown in Chicago, or you’re wondering if a front tooth crown might benefit your smile’s appearance, you can count on our team of professionals.
Call us today at (312) 236-8065 or contact us online to schedule your next appointment.
