Caring for your dental crowns is as serious as caring for your natural teeth. Dental crowns can last as many as 15 to 30 years…if you follow the proper steps to keep them sturdy and shining.
Brush Your Teeth Regularly
Make sure you’re brushing your teeth twice a day and regularly flossing. Your crown is just a covering over your existing tooth, and part of that existing tooth is still exposed. Bacteria can cause decay around the outer edges of your crown. If this happens, you need to have an entirely new crown made. And while bacteria may not decay your crown, it can cause damage to your tooth underneath and neighboring teeth.
Watch What You Eat
Hard or sticky foods can crack or break your crown. Stay away from hard candy and nuts, and try not to chew any ice. Meanwhile, sugary drinks like soda won’t only cause decay, but also discoloration.
Change Your Habits
When it comes to caring for your dental crowns, little habits like biting your nails, chewing on pencils, and opening packages with your teeth can have huge consequences. To avoid cracking or chipping your crown, try to kick these habits. It may be hard at first, but your smile will last a lot longer.
Use a Mouth Guard
Sports and physical injury are the most common dangers your smile faces. If you’re highly active and involved in sports like football, soccer, or hockey, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth.
If you grind your teeth when you sleep, a night guard is also a great way to care for your crown. Grinding your teeth puts an extreme amount of pressure on the crown (over 200 pounds per square inch!) which can lead to cracks over time.
Visit Your Dentist
Make sure you’re visiting your dentist every six months. They’ll be able to spot any issues and help keep your crowns safe. Small problems are much easier to resolve when they’re caught early.
If you’re worried about caring for your crown or notice any change in how it feels, we also encourage you to call our office. Our team at DICE dental is always available to help you keep your smile shining bright.
Considering Crowns?
Does a broken or weakened tooth cause you pain and make eating difficult? A dental crown can help restore and strengthen your smile!
Crowns at DICE Dental start at only $675 and are made in-house using our state-of-the-art milling machine. This means we can produce crowns that are durable, comfortable, and beautiful.
Contact us today to request a free consultation! Whether you need a crown, an implant, or a denture, we’ll be there to help you transform your smile. Our Springfield dentist is located just a short drive from Wilmington, DE.