When you get a dental restoration, you are investing in your oral health. Treatments can be costly, even with the help of dental insurance, and you likely want to make sure it lasts a long time. With the right care and maintenance, you could help your dental crown in Nashville, TN, last up to fifteen years. But if you don’t care for it properly, you may need a replacement in as little as five years. Taking the time to clean and protect your crown can often help ensure it lasts a long time.
How to Care for a Dental Crown in Nashville, TN
Dental crowns are designed to be durable and provide protection for your natural teeth or implants. However, they are not impervious to damage. They can suffer from chips and fractures just like normal teeth. And if your neighboring teeth or gums have decay or disease, it could affect your crown as well. It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene habits as well as a healthy diet to keep your crown as strong as possible.
Avoid Hard or Chewy Foods
With a dental crown, you can generally enjoy most of the foods and drinks you like. However, it is important to avoid chewing directly on your crown when eating hard or gummy substances. While the ceramic of your crown is durable enough to withstand normal bite pressure, hard surfaces could still cause damage. And particularly gummy foods could cause the bond to loosen and your crown to fall out. Proper chewing habits are crucial to making sure your crown stays strong for as long as possible.
Floss With Care
Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day is one of the best ways to avoid plaque and decay. Even though the ceramic of your crown is less affected by plaque, you still need to keep the area clean. While you can brush your teeth like you normally would with a crown, you may need to alter your flossing method. When flossing, it’s important not to pull up between your teeth. This could cause the thread to catch on the edge of your crown and loosen it. Instead, pull the floss through the front once you’re done flossing. If you notice the floss keeps getting stuck, it could mean you need an adjustment on your crown.
Visit the Dentist Regularly
Going to the dentist every six months can help improve your oral health and prevent plaque buildup. It’s also good for identifying any early warning signs of a problem with your crown. If your dentist does notice anything wrong, they may be able to restore your crown without needing to replace it.
At 615 Smile Design, we’re dedicated to helping our patients restore their bites and improve their smiles. Call us today at (615) 637-2878 to schedule a consultation and learn more about dental crowns.