Dental crowns are one of the most common cosmetic solutions for damaged teeth. Your dentist most likely fitted you for one if you recently had a root canal or experienced a chipped or fractured tooth. While crowns are made of sturdy, durable material (typically porcelain or ceramic), they need to be properly cared for to ensure their longevity and your dental health. Below are some tips for keeping them in excellent shape.

How Can You Take Care of Your Dental Crowns?

1. Eat Soft Foods

Eating hard, crunchy, or chewy foods can break your dental crown and/or loosen the cement that holds it in place. Stay away from raw vegetables, hard candies, nuts, and seeds, as well as sticky, sugary items like chewing gum. Instead, opt for soft foods that are easy to chew and never use your teeth to open tough packages.

2. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Dental crowns need to be brushed at least twice a day and flossed daily, just like your natural teeth. If you avoid these steps, food particles and decay-causing bacteria can become trapped in and around your crown, which can lead to infection and gum disease.

3. Be Mindful of Hot & Cold Foods

If you have gum recession or other periodontal issues, your mouth will probably be sensitive to temperature in areas with dental crowns. The most effective way to avoid this is to limit your intake of extremely hot or cold foods and beverages such as tea, coffee, soup, and ice cream. While none of these foods will cause direct damage to your crown (provided you brush and floss regularly), they can cause discomfort as you get used to the new restorative implant in your mouth.

For more information on how to care for your dental crowns, get in touch with New Horizons Dental LLC in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Serving Wood County for more than 15 years, this dental office is a member of the American Dental Association and provides a wide range of services, from general and cosmetic dentistry to teeth whitening and dental implants. Visit their website to learn more and call (715) 424-7810 to schedule an appointment.