How to Look After Your Dental Crowns: Top Tips to Keep in Mind

A dental crown is created from top quality materials to cover damaged teeth. Typically, dental crowns blend with your smile naturally. Dental crowns may be recommended in the following scenarios:

• When a large area of decay needs to be restored
• When a weak tooth needs to be protected from fracture
• When a discolored tooth needs to be masked
• When a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy needs to be restored
• When the structure of a badly fractured or injured tooth needs to be restored

With the various ways dental crowns can help restore your smile, it is important that you know how to take care of them accordingly so they can last for a very long time. If you do not look after your dental crowns, they will not last as long as they are supposed to.

Ensure your dental crowns last for a very long time by keeping the following tips in mind:

Observe proper dental hygiene

Brush your dental crown and any exposed tooth structure regularly with a soft bristled toothbrush and floss in between the dental crown  and the gum to remove food particles and dental plaque, which can lead to dental decay.

It is essential that you do not leave any dental floss or food trapped between your dental crown and gums as this can cause irritation (and possible infection) and damage your dental crowns.

Alternatively, you may find interdental brushes easier to use.

Inspect your dental crowns regularly

• Your dentist should inspect your dental crowns regularly and before any dental work (such as dental fillings) are done. This will allow identification of any problems early on and help prevent long term damage that can occur if dental cavities are not detected in time.
• Dental crowns (like dental fillings) can be damaged if dental cleanings are not carried out regularly. Check with your dentist if you have any questions or concerns about your dental crowns so it can be addressed accordingly. any dental problems or concerns regarding the placement of a dental filling or dental crown.
• The design of the dental crown makes it fairly hard to damage but the material that is used is still susceptible to wear and tear. For example, if you bite down very hard onto something hard then there is a possibility that a porcelain dental crown will break. Patients who brux (grind/clench their teeth) can chip or wear through crowns.

The following dental care tips can also help ensure your dental crowns last for a long time:

• Brush twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste and clean in between the teeth at least once daily (at night before sleeping). If brushing is difficult due to dental work such as a dental bridge or dental crown(s), let your dentist know so that the proper brushing method can be used (such as angle; change dental brush if required) to make it easier to clean around the dental work/dental crown.
• Clean thoroughly underneath the gum line surrounding each dental crown . This removes dental plaque buildup around dental crowns that may lead to cavities or gum inflammation.
• Visit your dental professional regularly for dental exams and dental cleanings (typically at least every six months).
• Dental crowns do not last forever. Dental crowns need replacing as soon as possible when they have worn through exposing the underlying tooth structure or core material, or if the crown has chipped or been damaged.