Dental crowns are protective caps placed over damaged teeth to restore their appearance, function, and strength. While they are designed to last for many years, proper care is essential to ensure their longevity. Here are five essential tips to help you take care of your dental crowns and prevent potential issues.
1. Be mindful of your habits
Certain habits can weaken or damage your dental crowns over time. If you grind your teeth, bite your nails, or chew on hard objects like ice or pens, you’re putting unnecessary pressure on the crown. This can cause it to chip, crack, or loosen. If you’re prone to teeth grinding, it’s important to take preventative measures, such as wearing a night guard.
2. Use a night guard If you grind your teeth
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can significantly wear down both natural teeth and dental crowns. Wearing a night guard is a simple and effective way to protect your crowns while you sleep. This device acts as a cushion between your upper and lower teeth, preventing them from grinding against each other. By using a night guard, you can extend the life of your dental crowns and reduce the risk of further damage to your teeth.
3. Avoid sticky and hard foods
Although dental crowns are durable, they are not indestructible. Sticky foods, such as gum, taffy, and dried fruits, can tug at the crown and potentially loosen it. Hard foods, like nuts, hard candies, and ice, can crack or chip the crown. To keep your crowns intact, it’s best to avoid these types of foods.
Here are specific foods to approach with caution:
- Crunchy Vegetables: Healthy but hard vegetables like carrots and celery can damage a new crown. Try cooking them until they soften or cutting them into smaller pieces.
- Sugary Drinks: Beverages like cola can erode the enamel around the crown, increasing the risk of decay.
- Chewing Gum: Sticky gum can adhere to the crown and cause damage.
- Dried Fruits: These can stick to the crown and pull at it, leading to potential loosening.
- Ice: Chewing on ice can create cracks in your crown, leading to bigger issues over time.
- Tough Meats: Hard-to-chew foods like improperly cooked steak can exert too much pressure on the crown.
4. Address a damaged crown promptly
If your crown becomes chipped, cracked, or damaged, it’s important to visit your dentist immediately. Porcelain-based crowns, while aesthetically pleasing, are more prone to chipping than other materials. Minor chips may be repaired with composite resin, but this is usually a temporary fix. Severe damage often requires replacing the crown. If you’ve had a crown repaired before, keep in mind that it may be more susceptible to future damage.
5. Maintain proper oral hygiene
Even though a crown covers your tooth, it’s still crucial to practice good oral hygiene. The tooth underneath the crown and the surrounding gum tissue remain vulnerable to decay and infection. To keep your crowns and teeth healthy:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day, paying special attention to the area around the crown.
- Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth and around the crown.
- Use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth if you experience sensitivity around the crowned tooth.
- Schedule regular dental check-ups to monitor the health of your crown and the supporting tooth.
Proper oral hygiene and routine dental visits can help prevent complications and ensure that your dental crowns last as long as possible.
The bottom line
Dental crowns play a vital role in protecting damaged teeth and restoring your smile. By following these five tips, you can maintain your crowns and enjoy long-lasting oral health. If you have any concerns about your dental crowns, don’t hesitate to consult your dentist for guidance and care.
