Caring for Crowns
Dental crowns are carefully crafted to cover a damaged tooth. Crowns can be metal or tooth-colored to blend in with natural tooth color. We recommend crowns to our patients when there is significant damage or a large area of decay that cannot be repaired with a regular filling. A crown help us save a tooth by protecting it from fracturing and rebuilding the structure for a badly injured or broken tooth.
Dental crowns can last up to 30 years or longer with proper fit and care. The best way to ensure your crown lasts as long as possible is to maintain your routine check-up visits with your dentist.
Here are some ways to continue at-home crown care:
Brush and
floss twice daily. Regular at-home dental care is key to good
oral health, with or without crowns.
Avoid very sticky food and desserts. Chewing sticky foods and desserts could cause the crown to pull away from the natural tooth and damage the crown.
Don’t chew hard candies, gum, or ice. Just like sticky foods, candy, gum or ice could cause damage to the crown, or dislodge it from its tooth.
Avoid hard foods, like carrots and nuts. Hard food can be eaten, but avoid using the teeth on the side of the mouth with the crown.
Your dental crown may initially cause you a bit of sensitivity. Eventually after a short period of wearing your new crown, you’ll become acclimated to the crown and it won’t be noticeable. Your new crown will seem like your natural tooth. However, the first week after placing your crown, you will want to avoid hot foods (such as soup and coffee) and cold foods (ice cream and ice-cold drinks). Also, it is always smart to limit sugary foods and drinks.
With these tips and the advice of your dentist, you will able to maintain your new crown for decades to come!
Are you interested in learning more about crown care? We would love to see you in the office for a consultation to discuss your options. Make an appointment today!
