Getting a dental crown is a big investment in your smile, and we want that investment to pay off for years to come. Crowns are incredibly durable, but they aren’t indestructible, and they do need some TLC to stay in great shape. We tell our Bentonville patients that a crown can last 15 years or longer with the right care.
Brush and Floss Like Your Crown Depends on It
We can’t stress this enough: plaque and bacteria don’t care if you have a crown or a natural tooth. They will still collect along the gumline and around the edges where the crown meets your tooth. That’s exactly where decay can start if you don’t clean thoroughly every single day.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day. Pay extra attention to the area where the crown meets your gum, and angle your brush slightly toward that margin. We also recommend an electric toothbrush for most patients because it does a more consistent job of removing plaque around restorations.
Flossing around a crown takes a little more care than flossing between natural teeth. Slide the floss gently down the side of the crown and pull it out through the side instead of snapping it back up. Snapping can loosen the cement or even dislodge the crown over time.
Watch What You Bite
Porcelain crowns are strong, but they can chip or crack if you bite down on something too hard. Avoid chewing ice, hard candies, popcorn kernels, and bones. Even pens, fingernails, and bottle caps are off-limits if you want to protect your crown.
If you grind or clench your teeth at night, that’s a serious risk for your crown. Grinding puts enormous pressure on porcelain and can cause it to fracture or wear down the opposing teeth. We make custom nightguards for patients who grind, and those guards are one of the best investments you can make for your crown’s longevity.
Sticky foods like caramels, taffy, and dried fruit can also be problematic. They can pull on the crown and weaken the cement seal over time. We don’t say you can never enjoy these treats, but we do say you should enjoy them in moderation and brush soon afterward.
Keep Up with Your Regular Cleanings
Regular dental cleanings are just as important for crowned teeth as they are for your natural teeth. Our hygienists can reach areas around your crown that you might miss at home. We also use special instruments that won’t scratch or damage the porcelain surface.
During your cleanings, we check the margins of your crown to make sure the fit is still tight. We also take X-rays periodically to look for any decay underneath the crown. Catching a small problem early can save the crown and the tooth underneath it.
We recommend seeing us every six months for most patients, but we might suggest more frequent visits if you have multiple crowns or a history of decay. Stick to the schedule we give you, and we will monitor your crown’s condition at every appointment.
Watch for Warning Signs
Call us right away if your crown feels loose, wiggly, or shifts when you bite down. That could mean the cement has worn away or the tooth underneath has changed shape. We can recement or replace the crown before it falls off completely.
Sensitivity to hot or cold around the crowned tooth is another sign that something might be wrong. It could mean decay has developed under the crown or that your gum tissue is receding. Don’t ignore these signs, because the sooner we check it, the more options we have to fix it.
A cracked or chipped crown doesn’t always need a full replacement, but it definitely needs an evaluation. Sometimes we can smooth out a small chip or patch it with bonding material. In other cases, we may recommend a new crown to restore full strength and appearance.
We’re Here to Protect Your Smile
Dental crowns are one of the most common restorations we place at Hope Dental Professionals. Dr. Pate’s AACD accreditation means she designs every crown with artistry and precision, not just function. But even the best crown needs you to do your part at home.
Our team is always here to answer questions about cleaning, eating, or anything else related to your crown. Call our Bentonville office if you notice any changes or if you’re due for a checkup. We will keep your crown healthy so your smile stays beautiful for decades.