Getting a dental crown is an important step in restoring your smile, but the journey doesn’t end there. Proper care is essential to ensure your crown lasts and keeps your oral health in top shape. We’ll uncover expert-recommended strategies to protect your investment, avoid common pitfalls, and keep your previous procedure looking and functioning its best for years to come.
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How Do I Know If My Dental Crown Needs Special Care?
This dental restoration is designed to be a durable solution for protecting a weakened tooth, but recognizing when it needs special care is essential for maintaining its longevity and your oral health. Here are some signs to watch for that may indicate your crown requires extra attention:
- Pain or Discomfort
If you feel pain or discomfort around your restored tooth, particularly when chewing or biting, it could signal an issue. Common causes include misalignment, decay beneath it, or a loose cap. Addressing these problems promptly can prevent further complications.
- Visible Damage
Regularly inspect your cap for cracks, chips, or wear. Visible damage weakens it and may expose the underlying tooth, increasing the risk of infection. If you notice any defects, consult your dentist immediately.
- Gum Health Issues
Healthy gums are essential for a well-functioning restoration. Signs like swelling, bleeding, or receding gums near it could indicate gum disease, an infection, or an ill-fitting cap that needs adjustment or replacement.
- Changes in Bite
When it no longer fits properly or causes your bite to feel misaligned may need to be adjusted. Ignoring changes in bite can lead to discomfort and additional dental issues over time.
- Wear and Tear
They can wear down, particularly if you grind your teeth (bruxism). If you experience this, using a dental night guard can help protect your crown and prevent premature wear.
- Persistent Sensitivity
Some sensitivity is normal right after a placement, but ongoing sensitivity could point to a cracked dental cap or irritation in the underlying tooth. Persistent issues should be evaluated by a dentist.
Signs Your Dental Crown Needs Extra Care
A dental cap is designed to protect and restore a damaged tooth, but over time, it may require extra care or attention. You can identify some signs to watch for that indicate it might need professional evaluation:
- Pain or Sensitivity: If you experience sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks, or pain when chewing or biting, it could mean it is loose or that the tooth beneath it has developed an issue. Prompt attention can prevent further complications.
- Visible Damage: Cracks, chips, or wear on your dental cap can compromise its function, leaving the tooth underneath vulnerable to damage or decay. If you notice any visible issues, consult your dentist to assess the need for repair or replacement.
- Loose Crown: If it feels loose or shifts when touched can create spaces where bacteria can enter, increasing the risk of decay or infection. Addressing a loose dental cap quickly helps maintain the health of the underlying tooth.
- Changes in Appearance: If its color has changed or it no longer matches the surrounding teeth, this could be due to staining, material aging, or wear. A mismatched restoration may require replacement to restore aesthetics and function.
- Gum Issues: Redness, swelling, or bleeding around it can indicate gum disease or an infection beneath it. Healthy gums are essential for the crown’s longevity and effectiveness.
- Cracks in the Underlying Tooth: Pain or discomfort originating from the tooth beneath the crown may signal a crack or decay. These issues can compromise the crown’s stability and might require crown replacement or further treatment.
- Uncomfortable Fit: If the crown causes discomfort while eating or speaking, it may no longer fit properly due to placement issues or shifting over time. An ill-fitting crown should be adjusted or replaced to avoid further dental problems.
Daily Care Tips for Maintaining Your Dental Crown
Dental caps are a reliable solution for restoring damaged teeth, but they require proper care to ensure their durability and maintain oral health. Follow these daily care tips to keep your restoration in excellent condition:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging the cap. Pay special attention to cleaning around it to prevent plaque buildup. Floss daily to remove food particles and plaque from areas a toothbrush can’t reach, particularly between your teeth and around it.
- Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods
They are durable, but hard or sticky foods like ice, nuts, and hard candies can cause cracks or loosen it. Be cautious when consuming these foods and consider cutting them into smaller pieces to minimize pressure.
- Protect Against Grinding and Impact
If you grind your teeth at night, wearing a nightguard can prevent excessive wear on it. Similarly, if you participate in contact sports, use a mouthguard to protect your restoration and natural teeth from potential impacts that could cause damage.
- Limit Staining Substances
While they are designed to resist stains better than natural teeth, substances like coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco can still affect their appearance. Limiting these items can help you keep it looking clean and natural.
- Schedule Regular Dental Check-ups
Routine visits to your dentist for check-ups and professional cleanings are essential. These appointments ensure your dental cap is in good condition, and any early signs of wear or damage can be addressed promptly.
Foods to Avoid with a Dental Crown
A dental cap is a reliable restoration, but certain foods can compromise its durability or harm the surrounding teeth. To ensure it stays intact and your oral health is protected, it’s essential to avoid items that can cause damage or discomfort.
Hard Foods: Crunching on hard foods like nuts, hard candies, ice, or crunchy snacks can put undue pressure on your restoration, increasing the risk of cracking or dislodging. To preserve the integrity of it and the tooth beneath, steer clear of these items.
Sticky and Chewy Foods: Sticky foods such as caramel, taffy, or chewing gum can adhere to it, potentially loosening it over time. Chewy foods, like bagels or tough meats, can also strain it, increasing the likelihood of wear or displacement. Opt for softer alternatives to minimize stress on the dental cap.
Staining Foods and Drinks: While the restorations resist stains, frequent consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, or dark sauces can discolor the surrounding natural teeth, affecting the uniformity of your smile. Limiting these items can help maintain an overall polished appearance.
Extremely Hot or Cold Foods: Although the cap itself is resistant to temperature changes, consuming very hot or cold foods and beverages may cause discomfort in the surrounding tooth, especially if there is any underlying sensitivity. Avoid temperature extremes to ensure comfort.
Sugary Foods and Drinks: High-sugar items contribute to plaque buildup and cavities, which can weaken the tooth structure around it. Limiting sugary snacks and beverages is essential to maintaining oral health and protecting your crown’s stability.
How to Handle Damage to Your Dental Crown?
Dental restorations are durable but not indestructible, and they can become damaged due to factors like trauma, decay, or wear and tear. If you notice issues such as cracks, chips, or a loose cap, it’s essential to act promptly. These problems can cause discomfort, sensitivity, or pain, particularly when chewing or biting.
The first step in handling crown damage is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. A professional evaluation will determine whether the crown can be repaired, re-cemented, or needs replacement. Your dentist will also check the underlying tooth for potential complications. In the meantime, if the cap has fallen off, you can use temporary dental cement from a pharmacy to reattach it, but this is only a short-term solution.
To prevent future damage, maintain good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, and avoid foods that are hard or sticky, as these can strain it. If you grind your teeth at night, using a night guard can protect your dental cap and natural teeth from excessive wear. Prompt action and preventive care are essential to ensuring your dental restoration remains effective and long-lasting.
Sources.
Collares, K., Correa, M. B., Bronkhorst, E. M., Laske, M., Huysmans, M. C. D., & Opdam, N. J. (2018). A practice based longevity study on single-unit crowns. Journal of Dentistry, 74, 43-48.
Sahu, S. S., Shaheen Afroz Jamil, D. A. A. B., Mishra, S., Bhavini, S., & Anupam, R. (2022). A review of maintenance and longevity of dental restorations. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results, 10173-10178.