Crowns are versatile when it comes to correcting cosmetic flaws and strengthening your damaged teeth. Durability is one of the significant crown benefits — with the appropriate care, your crowns could retain your smile for many years. To get the most out of their durability, you should understand how to avoid damage. Below are some useful tips that may help you take care of your crowns.
Although crowns are strong and durable, but like your natural teeth they are not immune from damage. Munching on hard or ice candies could crack, break, or chip your crown, meaning that you will require an earlier replacement than expected. Chewy or sticky foods lead to the loosening or weakening of your crown. They also cause sticky pieces to get stuck between your gum and your crown.
While the crowns are artificial, supporting teeth underneath will still require routine care. Although the crown entirely covers the surface of your tooth, brushing it gently will eliminate sticky plaque from forming and keep your crown at its best.
Flossing is vital since your gum and the crown may still catch food particles and germs between them or the adjacent tooth. You will also have to take care of your temporary crowns to avoid dislodging them as you floss before having your permanent crown in place.
With the permanent crown, you may floss around as with the natural teeth. However, you it’s normal to still have sensitivity problems when eating cold or hot meals.
Many people clench and grind their teeth when they are asleep, meaning they are possibly not aware of it. Clenching and grinding may not seem like a serious issue, but it can take a major toll on the teeth with time. With clenching and grinding, that pressure exerted increases significantly, increasing the risk of breaking your crowns. By examining your gums and teeth, Dr. Khan will tell if you have a grinding habit. If you have a grinding habit, a custom night guard will be of great help as it will protect the crown and cushion your teeth while you sleep.
Avoid the following as you may end up breaking your teeth or the crowns.
• Biting your nails
• Chewing on ice
• Grinding your teeth
• Opening bottle caps with your teeth
• Biting other solid objects
Keep your supporting teeth healthy by ensuring you attend your regular cleanings and checkups at least twice a year. Besides keeping your teeth healthy, visiting your dentist will help you keep the gums from enveloping the crown.
Also, bear in mind that the porcelain employed to craft the crowns is not intended to resist staining; you cannot whiten them. To ensure that the crowns match your teeth, make sure you go for specialized whitening treatment before applying the crowns.
Additionally, visiting our office regularly will allow Dr. Khan to examine your crowns to make sure they fit suitably and are still “seated.”
At IKON Dental Group, we apply state-of-the-art materials and methods in providing our patients with durable and beautiful crowns. For more information about dental crowns and how you can restore your beautiful smile, schedule an appointment today.