Caring for Your Dental Crown: Tips for Long-Term Maintenance

A dental crown can protect the remaining dental structure. It can restore and protect the natural tooth. Maintaining this restoration can help keep your smile intact for a long time. Here are some care tips for your new dental crown.

Choose the right foods

Specific foods can damage a dental crown. Some raw fruits and vegetables are firm and hard. Cut them into smaller pieces, making them manageable to eat. Doing so can reduce stress on the crown.

Refrain from eating sticky and hard foods. Chewing gum or taffy can dislodge this dental restoration. Popcorn kernels, candies, or ice can damage it. Limit acidic drinks and foods. Acid erodes the enamel of natural teeth, which can deteriorate the teeth underneath the cap. If consuming these types of food is unavoidable, rinse the mouth with water right away.

Maintain good oral care

Maintaining a dental crown involves practicing good oral care every day. Brush at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Clean the area around the crown and the gumline. Floss daily to remove food particles and plaque from between the cap and tooth. Gargle with an antibacterial mouthwash to prevent infections and cavities.

See the general dentist if there is an issue

Any discomfort with a dental crown needs the attention of a dental care provider. Persistent pain or sensitivity around the cap may be a symptom of infection or an ill-fitting restoration. A dislodged crown will need a dental visit right away. Refrain from re-attaching the cap at home. Changes in crown texture or color may be a sign of wear or damage. The dentist must assess it to provide the right solution.

Protect the dental crown

Shield the restoration from trauma during outdoor activities or contact sports. The dentist can provide a custom-fit mouthguard to help cushion any form of impact. It can even prevent damage to it and its surrounding natural teeth. The custom-made kind may cost more than the over-the-counter variety, but it can protect the mouth better. For individuals with bruxism, the dentist can provide a custom-fit nightguard.

Keep regular dental appointments

Routine dental visits are necessary to keep a dental crown in top shape for a long time. Each visit will involve an assessment of the cap and the underlying tooth. The dentist will also inspect the condition of the surrounding teeth. Addressing early stages of cavities, dental damage, or crown damage will be part of the visits.

The patient will also have professional dental cleanings during these appointments. This standard treatment can help keep the underlying tooth healthy. By preventing cavities and gum disease, the dental crown can last long. These cleanings can also help keep the teeth and crown look bright all the time. The dentist will also provide helpful tips on how to keep the mouth problem-free.

Long-term maintenance of your dental crown can keep your smile last for years

Keeping your smile complete and functional may need the help of a dental restoration. The most common to consider is the dental crown. You can keep your cap intact by following the mentioned long-term maintenance tips. Working with your general dentist can make your crown journey a smooth one.

Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistinridgewood.com or call John D. Aston, DMD at (201) 620-9996 for an appointment in our Ridgewood office.

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