5 Essential Tips for Caring for Your Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a cap that covers a severely damaged tooth, helping restore both its function and appearance. While crowns are durable and can last many years, they require proper care to maintain their longevity. Here’s a guide to understanding how to care for your dental crowns and what to do if problems arise.

1. Be mindful of your habits
Certain habits can negatively impact the longevity of your dental crowns. You're putting unnecessary pressure on your crowns if you grind your teeth, bite your nails, or frequently chew on hard objects like ice or pens. This can lead to chipping, cracking, or loosening of the crown. If you struggle with teeth grinding, consider the next tip about using a night guard.

2. Use a night guard If you grind your teeth
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common issue that can wear down both your natural teeth and dental crowns. A night guard is a simple device that can help protect your teeth while you sleep. It acts as a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing them from grinding against each other. Wearing a night guard can significantly extend the life of your crown and prevent further dental issues.

3. Avoid sticky and hard foods
While crowns are designed to be strong and durable, they are not invincible. Sticky foods like chewing gum, taffy, or dried fruits can pull at your crown, potentially loosening it. Hard foods like nuts, hard candies, or even ice can crack or chip the crown. After getting a crown, avoiding these types of foods is a good idea to ensure your crown remains intact.

Here are a few specific foods to be cautious with:
- Crunchy Vegetables: While healthy, crunchy vegetables like carrots or celery can damage a new crown. Consider cooking them until they’re soft or cutting them into smaller pieces.
- Cola and Sugary Drinks: These are bad for your teeth in general and can contribute to enamel erosion around your crown.
- Gum: If you enjoy chewing gum, it’s best to avoid it if you have a crown, as it can stick to and damage the crown.
- Raisins and Other Dried Fruits: While nutritious, these sticky snacks can pull at the crown and should be eaten with caution.
- Ice: Chewing on ice can create small cracks in your crown, which could lead to bigger issues down the line.
- Steak: Tough, improperly cooked steak can put significant pressure on your crown, potentially causing damage.

4. Address a damaged crown promptly
If your crown becomes chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible. While aesthetically pleasing, porcelain-based crowns are more prone to chipping than other materials. In some cases, a minor chip can be repaired with composite resin, but this is often a temporary fix. More significant damage usually requires replacing the crown entirely. If you’ve already had your crown repaired, keep in mind that it may be more vulnerable to future damage.

5. Maintain proper oral hygiene
Even though a crown covers your tooth, it’s still important to maintain good oral hygiene. The tooth underneath the crown and the surrounding gum tissue can still be susceptible to decay and infection. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, paying special attention to the area around the crown. Floss daily to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and around the crown. Regular dental check-ups are crucial for ensuring your crown and supporting teeth remain healthy.

If you experience sensitivity around your crowned tooth, especially when eating hot or cold foods, you may benefit from using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. This can help reduce discomfort and protect the underlying tooth.