How to Care for Your Dental Crowns

If you’ve recently had dental crowns placed or are considering them, you’re probably wondering how to care for them to ensure they last as long as possible. Dental crowns are a significant investment in your oral health, designed to protect and strengthen weakened teeth. However, proper care is crucial to extend their lifespan and maintain their beautiful smile.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about taking care of your dental crowns, including essential tips and best practices that will keep them looking and functioning at their best.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are custom-made caps that cover a damaged tooth to restore its size, shape, and function. Whether you're dealing with a cracked, decayed, or weakened tooth, a crown offers protection and improves the tooth’s appearance. Crowns are commonly made of porcelain, ceramic, or metal and can last 10-15 years or even longer with proper care.

At Georgia Smile Team, we specialize in offering top-quality dental crowns in Gainesville to restore your smile’s health and aesthetics.

Why Proper Care is Important

Dental crowns, while durable, are not invincible. Much like your natural teeth, they can suffer damage or wear over time. Without proper maintenance, crowns are susceptible to issues like:

• Chipping or cracking
• Crown dislodgment
• Decay in the underlying tooth
• Gum disease around the crowned tooth

To avoid these complications, it’s important to incorporate good oral hygiene practices and avoid behaviours that could damage your crowns.

How to Care for Your Dental Crowns

1. Maintain a Consistent Oral Hygiene Routine

Even though dental crowns are resistant to decay, the underlying tooth and surrounding gums still need regular care to prevent infections or further decay. Here’s what your daily oral care should look like:

• Brush Twice a Day: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean your teeth, including the crown. This helps remove plaque and food particles that could harm your natural teeth and gums.
• Floss Daily: Flossing is essential to clean around your crown and remove debris between your teeth. Be gentle around the crown to avoid loosening it.
• Use Antibacterial Mouthwash: A mouthwash can help reduce plaque and bacteria, keeping your gums healthy and protecting the tooth beneath the crown.

By sticking to this routine, you’ll prevent gum disease, which can compromise the integrity of your crown and the surrounding teeth.

2. Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods

One of the most important habits to adopt when caring for your crowns is to avoid foods that could damage or dislodge them. Hard or sticky foods can place unnecessary stress on your crown and potentially cause it to crack or come loose.

• Stay away from hard foods: Avoid biting down on things like ice, hard candies, and nuts, which can crack or chip your crown.
• Limit sticky foods: Sticky candies like caramels or taffy can pull at your crown and increase the risk of dislodging it.
• Cut food into smaller pieces: For foods that are tougher to chew, cut them into smaller, manageable portions to reduce strain on your crowns.

3. Address Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Do you grind or clench your teeth at night? Bruxism can be particularly harmful to dental crowns, causing them to wear down prematurely. If you suspect you grind your teeth, speak to your dentist in Gainesville about getting a custom nightguard. This device will protect both your natural teeth and crowns from damage caused by nighttime grinding.

4. Regular Dental Check-ups

Routine dental visits are critical for maintaining the health of your crowns and overall oral hygiene. Your dentist will monitor the condition of your crowns and check for any issues like cracks, dislodgment, or decay under the crown. Regular cleanings will also help maintain the health of your gums and the tooth beneath the crown.

At Georgia Smile Team, we recommend biannual visits to ensure your dental crowns in Gainesville stay in top condition. During these visits, your dentist will also examine the fit of your crown to ensure it hasn’t shifted or caused any alignment problems with your bite.

5. Stay Away from Bad Habits

Certain bad habits can spell trouble for your dental crowns, as well as your natural teeth. To protect your crowns from damage, try to avoid:

• Chewing on non-food objects: Things like pens, fingernails, or ice can exert excessive pressure on your crowns, leading to chips or cracks.
• Using your teeth as tools: It might be tempting to use your teeth to open packages or bottles, but doing so can cause serious damage to both your crowns and natural teeth.

By breaking these habits, you’ll help ensure your dental crowns last as long as possible.

What to Do If Your Crown Gets Damaged

Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen, and your crown may become damaged or dislodged. If you notice any issues like sensitivity, discomfort, or visible cracks, it’s crucial to contact your dentist immediately. The sooner you address the problem, the easier it will be to repair or replace the crown.

At Georgia Smile Team, our experts in dental crowns are here to help. We’ll assess the damage and provide the necessary treatment to restore your smile quickly and effectively.

Final Thoughts

Caring for your dental crowns doesn’t require a drastic overhaul of your oral care routine, but it does demand consistency and caution. By following the tips outlined above, you can significantly prolong the life of your dental crowns and ensure they continue to enhance your smile for years to come.

Remember, regular dental check-ups, a strong hygiene routine, and avoiding damaging habits are key to maintaining your crowns. If you ever have concerns about the condition of your dental crowns, don’t hesitate to contact Georgia Smile Team—your trusted dentist to keep your smile healthy and bright.