Dentists use crowns to cover damaged teeth. These prostheses are designed to look just like patients’ natural teeth. With proper care, they are considered an excellent long-term solution for protecting weak teeth, finishing root canals and dental implants, and more. Read on to find out how to properly care for dental crowns in Parkland, FL, to ensure that a new crown lasts as long as possible.
Practice Good Dental Hygiene
For the most part, patients can treat their dental crowns just like regular teeth. They should brush them at least twice a day and floss between the crown and the natural or prosthetic teeth beside it at least once a day. Most dentists also recommend using mouthwash to ensure that even hard-to-reach parts of patients’ mouths remain as clean as possible.
Avoid Certain Foods
Patients with dental crowns can follow their regular diets, but there are a few types of food they may want to avoid if they wish their crowns to last for as long as possible. Chewing on hard candies, nuts, ice, and some fresh veggies can cause crowns to break, and eating sticky desserts or chewing gum can cause the adhesive to come loose. These problems can be fixed, but patients who don’t want to deal with extra visits to the dentist can avoid them by using care when they eat these problematic foods.
Be Aware of Sensitivities
Eating very hot or cold foods can make teeth with dental crowns in Parkland, FL, feel sensitive. These foods won’t damage the crown, but patients should be aware of this common problem. Their sensitivity may decrease as they become accustomed to their newly restored teeth.
Avoid Bad Habits
Chewing on fingernails and grinding teeth at night are considered bad habits by most modern Americans. That’s not all they have in common, though. They can also damage dental crowns, so those with crowns should try to change their behaviors if possible.
Keep Dental Appointments
Although proper home care can help to extend the longevity of a dental crown, it won’t replace the need for routine visits to the dentist. Do you know it’s been too long since that last checkup? Contact My Tamarac Dentist to schedule an appointment today.
