Do teeth need special care for crown?

Dental crowns are extremely easy to maintain since they do not require any kind of specialized cleaning. They need to be brushed and flossed just like your natural teeth to remove sticky plaque film. Flossing is essential to maintain your oral health because food can be stuck between the crown and the adjacent tooth, bacteria and tartar can still form along the gum line.

Avoid sticky or chewy foods, which have the potential to grab and pull at the crown. Shift the bulk of your chewing to the opposite side of your mouth. Avoid chewing hard foods like raw vegetables, which can dislodge or break the crown. Avoid bad habits like biting your nails, chew on pencils or other hard objects, using your teeth for “tools” to open hard-to-budge bottle caps etc. Not only can these habits break your crowns, but they can break or chip your natural teeth as well.

Grinding and clenching may not seem like really serious issues, but over time they may take a serious toll on your teeth. Use a custom nightguard to cushion your teeth and protect your crown while you sleep. In addition, even if your tooth is covered by a crown, you may still have sensitivity issues when eating hot or cold foods. Use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.

Having routine checkups and cleanings every six months is important for making sure the gums surrounding the crown stay healthy and for keeping the supporting tooth healthy too.