Dental crowns are an effective way to repair and protect damaged teeth. At Rangel Dental, we believe that helping patients understand what to expect and how to properly care for their crowns can enhance their oral health and help dental restorations last longer. There are many different factors that can impact how long your dental crown will last. Dental crowns typically last an average of 15 years, but with proper care, they can last for more than 30 years.
Maintain Good Hygiene Habits
Daily flossing, brushing your teeth twice a day, and using an antiseptic mouthwash can help keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Crowns are no exception to this rule – even though a dental crown covers your tooth, you still need to practice good hygiene habits to avoid decay, gum disease, and other problems. It’s also important to see your dentist for dental cleanings and checkups at least every six months. If there are any problems with your crown or other restorations, your dentist can catch them before they worsen.
Be Mindful Of What You Consume
Permanent dental crowns are typically made of porcelain or a combination of durable metals covered with ceramic. However, they can chip, crack or fall out, so it’s vital to be mindful of what and how you eat. Some foods you should be careful with include:
Crunchy or hard foods such as nuts, pretzels, seeds, and hard candy. In some cases, these foods can cause a crown to chip or break. It’s also important to be careful when eating popcorn. Biting on an unpopped kernel can easily chip or break a crown.
Chewy foods like steak and sticky candies. These foods have the potential to loosen or dislodge your dental crown, so if you do eat them, it’s best to be mindful and not chew them in the area where your crown is located.
If you have a crown and enjoy chewing on ice, you’ll have to stop this habit, as it can be very damaging to your dental crown. You should also make sure to rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth after consuming dark-colored liquids like coffee and red wine. Although ceramic crowns are resistant to staining, over time these liquids can change the color of your natural teeth, which can make them look darker or more yellowish than your crown.
Avoid Using Your Teeth As Tools
Using your teeth to open packages, bottles, or anything else is never a good idea. Not only can this cause dental crowns to chip or break, it can damage your natural teeth as well. Although it may seem harmless, it’s also important to avoid nail-biting, which can cause damage to dental restorations and teeth.
Whiten Teeth Before Getting a New Crown
Ceramic crowns, bonding, fillings, and other restorations do not whiten. If you’re interested in teeth whitening, make sure to do it before getting any new dental crowns, bonding, or composite fillings.
Use A Mouth Guard
If you clench or grind your teeth, it’s important to wear a custom-made night guard when sleeping or performing activities that cause you to grind. Without this added layer of protection, your crown and teeth can become worn and damaged. If you play sports, invest in a custom sports guard to protect your teeth from trauma.
Take Care Of Damaged Restorations Right Away
If you chip, break or crack a crown or filling, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. If you wait, bacteria can get underneath the restoration and cause decay, which can lead to infection, discomfort, and other issues. Your dentist may be able to repair small chips in a crown, but if the damage is more extensive it may need to be replaced.
Contact Us To Learn More
Keeping all these tips in mind can help you learn how to properly care for and live with dental crowns. To learn more about dental crowns, contact us online or call 973-292-0001 to schedule an appointment. Our experienced team at Rangel Dental is dedicated to serving your dental care needs in a welcoming, comfortable environment.