Dental crowns are a great way to restore your smile and help you feel your best. But to keep them looking clean and white, you must maintain them like your original teeth. Here are some simple steps you can take to preserve your investment. 

How to Care For Your Dental Crowns

Stick to Your Cleaning Routine

By committing to a twice-daily brushing routine, you can keep plaque from sticking to your teeth where it can form cavities. Because your new dental crowns might increase your reaction to cold drinks, consider switching to a sensitivity toothpaste. You should also continue to floss once a day. A water flosser is especially effective at removing lingering particles without scraping.

Use a Fluoride Rinse

Even though the crowns are made of ceramic or another synthetic material, there are still real teeth underneath. By adding a fluoride mouth rinse into your hygiene routine, you can keep the underlying enamel strong, preventing future decay.

Chew Carefully

While your crowns are nearly as strong as natural teeth, you still need to avoid chipping or cracking them. Avoid chewing ice and hard candy. Additionally, you should never use your teeth as tools, for example, to rip open packages or pop bottles, as this can cause unnecessary stress on your implants.

Wear a Night Guard

If you grind or clench your teeth at night, you could wind up damaging your dental crowns, as well as causing other oral health issues. Ask your dentist about fitting you for a night-guard which will prevent this damaging shifting.

See Your Dentist Regularly

No matter how effective your at-home care is, you must also keep up with your dentists' appointments. Not only are these professionals better equipped to identify issues that are forming, but they will be able to provide you with advice on how to better care for your crowns. 

For general and restorative dentistry services, the team at Hill Country Dental Associates has the techniques and knowledge you can trust. Serving patients in Kerrville, TX, this team provides teeth cleaning, dental crowns, root canals, gum disease treatment, and other procedures to preserve your oral health. From the moment you walk into their state-of-the-art facility, their staff will keep you comfortable and informed. For more about their services, visit their website or call (830) 257-3000 today.