5 Expert-Approved Tips for Maintaining Your Dental Crown

A dental crown is an effective way of repairing severe tooth decay or damage. Dental crowns provide full coverage, giving your compromised tooth a second chance. Cascadia Family Dental is excited to be your preferred dental office for high-quality dental crowns in Bend, Oregon. Whether you need a dental crown for cosmetic or health benefits, you can trust Dr. Amberena Fairlee for exceptional services. 

Dental crown maintenance

Congratulations on restoring your smile with dental crowns. We are sure you’d like your brand-new smile to last many years. While dental crowns are created from durable materials, their longevity depends on your maintenance ritual. Follow the following care tips to ensure your dental crowns last 10-plus years. 

1. Observe good oral hygiene: Dental crowns can’t develop decay, but the tooth underneath is vulnerable to decay-causing bacteria. Brush your teeth at least twice daily with non-abrasive toothpaste. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes, and be thorough around the crown area to avoid plaque buildup. Also, floss your teeth daily, especially before you sleep. Flossing removes plaque and food debris from places your toothbrush can’t reach. 
2. Only use your teeth to chew food: Many people are guilty of using their teeth to open packages, cut fingernails, or crack ice. You may not think too much about these oral habits, but they can damage your teeth and restorations over time. Using your teeth to chew on non-food items may break or dislodge your crown. 
3. Visit your dentist regularly: Even with good oral hygiene at home, you still need the help of a dentist. Visit your dentist every six months for routine check-ups and cleanings. During your oral wellness visits, we’ll inspect the condition of your crown and make prompt interventions before it’s too late. Additionally, we’ll professionally clean your teeth to remove plaque and tartar from hard-to-reach mouth areas. 
4. Invest in a mouthguard: If you grind your teeth night after night, it’s more than just a bad habit—it can seriously affect your oral health! Habitual teeth grinding (bruxism) exerts undue pressure on your teeth, leading to wear, fractures, and tooth loss. Dental crowns aren’t also safe from teeth grinding. Constant grinding can break or dislodge your crown, resulting in costly repairs. If you suspect you grind your teeth, ask your dentist for a custom nightguard.
5. Watch out for your foods: Dental crowns are resilient but can become unstable over time. To prevent chipping or cracking, minimize chewing on hard foods (ice, candy, or nuts). Avoid sticky foods like caramel and chewing gum, which can loosen the crown.

Placing dental crowns requires at least 2-3 dental visits. The procedure starts with a consultation to determine your suitability for a crown. Often, ther involves inspection of your tooth with dental X-rays. After consultation, the dentist prepares the tooth by reshaping the enamel from all sides of your tooth. Next, we take digital scans of your tooth and send the images to our partner dental lab for custom fabrication. Finally, the dentist uses durable adhesives to bond your crown securely to your tooth. 

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