Dental crowns are porcelain covers that go over damaged teeth, usually after a root canal or filling. They provide extra strength and restore the look of your original smile. While creating your custom dental crown, your dentist will likely add a temporary one as a placeholder. However, while wearing these temporary crowns and adjusting to a permanent one, below are several types of food that you should avoid to prevent damage.

What Should You Not Eat After Getting a Dental Crown?

1. Crunchy Foods

While many people love raw vegetables, popcorn, and nuts, these foods are hard and can damage or dislodge crowns. This is because you must break the shell, potentially putting too much pressure on the crown. Avoid these snacks for the first few weeks. If you still want to receive their nutrients, consider using natural peanut butter or almond butter, instead. Also, because vegetables are integral to many diets, cook them first, as this will soften the food.

2. Sticky Foods

For those that have a sweet tooth, it may be challenging to avoid gum, caramels, and taffy. However, these items can stick to a crown and pull it away from the tooth, exposing the damaged area underneath. These items also contain sugar, which contributes to tooth decay and can negatively affect the area. Even if you love these items, avoid them for several weeks after receiving a dental crown.

3. Chewy Foods

Many types of food require you to chew them significantly before eating, and this is challenging and painful with a crown. For example, a steak or sourdough baguette will cause you to chew more, putting significant pressure on the crown. During the healing process, opt for softer protein sources like fish and chicken, as well as less intensive breads, like French varieties.

4. Extreme Hot or Cold Foods

Adding a dental crown usually involves contouring the natural tooth, which can make it more sensitive to extreme temperatures. For this reason, you should avoid frozen desserts, as well as drinks with ice. If you cannot do this, use a straw for the cold drinks and try to keep the liquid from touching your teeth. On the hot side, let the food cool down for several minutes before eating.

If you need a dental crown, contact Allen S. Braumiller Jr. DDS, PC in Coweta, OK. The dentist has more than 33 years of experience and provides both general and cosmetic dentistry services for the whole family. From fillings to dentures, patients throughout the area can enjoy quick, comfortable care. Visit the website for a full list of services. Call (918) 486-6516 to request an appointment.