Our Top Tips For Maintaining Your Dental Crowns

In the long history of dentistry, crowns have been used for millennia, though it was only in the late 1800s that contemporary crowns started to take shape. That’s when the jacket-style crown appeared, made of porcelain, and duplicated the appearance of natural teeth. 

Today, there are a range of materials and hybrids used for dental crown applications. At Lee Dental in Frisco, Texas, Dr. Julie Lee and Dr. Clyde Lee specialize in fitting dental crowns to meet your needs and goals.. 

Crowns have a life expectancy, and it’s here that you can play an active role in the care and upkeep of your crowns, potentially extending their lifespan. Here are our top tips for maintaining your dental crowns. 

Continue with excellent oral hygiene

Crowns fit over a prepared natural tooth, held in place with permanent cement. Not only does a crown look like a natural tooth, it requires similar care. 

Brush twice a day to manage the buildup of plaque, and add a daily floss session to deep clean around the gum line. Water flossers are a good addition to your existing routine. 

Consider the foods you eat

While dental crowns and the cement that holds them are strong, they’re not invincible. Hard and sticky foods can damage or loosen crowns, so take it easy with these types of foods. Avoid chewing on ice or hard candies, and be careful with caramels or toffee. 

Raw vegetables are an excellent nutrient source that you don’t want to omit from your diet. Ease the stress on your crowns by cutting up carrots and celery into small strips so your teeth aren’t forced to bear the full brunt of breaking down these healthy foods. 

Sugar is still an issue

While the materials from which crowns are made won’t decay, it’s still possible for natural tooth enamel around the gum line edge of a crown to develop cavities. Sugars remaining in your mouth for extended times can feed bacteria and attack enamel, so reducing your sugar intake in the form of sweets and sweetened beverages can reduce your risk of dental decay. 

Stay hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is great for all parts of your body, and it’s also a positive step for crown maintenance. Water rinses away food debris between brushing while at the same time stimulating saliva production, an important guard against tooth decay. 

Regular checkups

Visiting us every six months gives you the reassurance that all is well with both natural teeth and dental crowns. We can tackle little problems before they become major while continuing to provide you with regular care and cleaning. 

If your next appointment isn’t scheduled already, contact us at Lee Dental to plan your next visit. Book online or by phone today.