How to Care for Your Dental Crowns

Essential Dental Crown Aftercare for Long-Lasting Results

Dental crowns are a popular choice for strengthening and protecting compromised teeth, adding both function and aesthetic appeal. However, for your dental crowns to offer lasting benefits, proper aftercare is essential.

In this guide, our Farmington, CT, dentist shares tips on maintaining your dental crowns to keep your smile beautiful and functional for years. Call our Farmington, CT, dental office at (860) 470-3660 to learn more or book a visit!

Why Proper Care for Dental Crowns is Crucial

With good care, dental crowns can last up to 15 years or more, offering a durable and dependable solution. By following aftercare guidelines, you can prevent complications, maintain a clean gum line, and keep your dental crowns in optimal condition. Here’s why crown aftercare is so important:

Healing and Comfort: After crown placement, your gums and surrounding tissue need time to adjust. Follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions to minimize sensitivity, support healing, and prevent infection.
Oral Health Maintenance: Effective brushing and flossing are crucial for keeping both natural teeth and dental crowns healthy. Cleaning around the crown helps protect against gum disease and decay near the gum line.
Preventing Future Issues: Regular dental checkups allow our Farmington dentists to monitor your crown, address any issues early, and perform routine cleanings to enhance longevity.

How to Care for Your Dental Crown

Daily Oral Hygiene Essentials

Taking care of your dental crowns is similar to looking after your natural teeth, but with a few added precautions to avoid damage. Here are key care tips:

Brush Twice Daily: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste, brushing gently around your crowns to prevent plaque buildup.
Floss Carefully: Floss around crowns daily to remove debris. If standard floss is tricky, consider a floss threader or water flosser to gently clean around the crown base.
Rinse with Mouthwash: An antimicrobial mouthwash can further protect against bacteria buildup. Rinse after brushing and flossing to keep the gums healthy and reduce plaque around the crown.

Food and Drink Precautions

Diet plays a big role in protecting dental crowns. To maximize your crown’s lifespan, keep these dietary tips in mind:

Limit Hard and Sticky Foods: While crowns are durable, avoid biting into hard items like ice, hard candies, or nuts that could cause fractures. Also, avoid sticky foods that might pull on or dislodge your crowns.
Minimize Stain-Causing Substances: Dental crowns are resistant to stains, but limiting coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco helps maintain a bright, natural look.
Reduce Acidic and Sugary Foods: Acidic and sugary foods can erode the underlying tooth structure. Limiting soda, citrus, and sweets can prevent decay around your crown.

Protecting Crowns from Wear and Tear

Some habits can add stress to your dental crowns, so taking a few extra steps to protect them can be beneficial:

Avoid Teeth Grinding or Clenching: Bruxism can damage crowns. If you grind your teeth, consider a custom nightguard to prevent undue pressure.
Wear a Mouthguard for Sports: If you play contact sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your crowns from impact.

Caring for a Temporary Dental Crown

Temporary crowns require gentle handling until your permanent crown is ready. Follow these tips:

Avoid sticky or hard foods.
Chew on the opposite side.
Gently clean around the temporary crown without pulling on it.
Rinse with salt water to reduce gum irritation if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can brush and floss around dental crowns just like natural teeth, but pay extra attention to the gum line, where plaque tends to accumulate.

If you notice a loose crown, contact your dentist’s office right away. They’ll assess the issue and recommend a solution, which could involve re-cementing the crown or, if necessary, replacing it.

While the crown itself can’t decay, the natural tooth underneath can develop cavities. Maintain good oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly to catch any early signs of decay.

Your Partner in Crown Care: Farmington’s Trusted Dental Team

Proper care can make all the difference in extending the life of your dental crown. By following these aftercare tips and visiting our Farmington office for routine checkups, you can enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come.

Call (860) 470-3660 today to book your appointment. We proudly serve Farmington, Plainville, New Britain, Hartford, Newington, and nearby Connecticut communities. Let us help you keep your dental crowns and your smile in the best possible condition!

Look what our Happy Patients are saying!

I am nervous about going to the dentist in the first place but, I met with Dr. Kuzman first and he explained the procedure. I went with the oral sedation which was the best decision for me. The staff are pleasant and attentive. I live in Florida now but come home every 6 months and he will definitely be my dentist from now on.Christina at the main office was very helpful with my insurance and very pleasant. Thank you Pinnacle Dental

— Nancy B.

Dr. Kuzmin and his team are absolutely amazing. They are able to put you at ease, and he clearly takes pride in his work! He literally fixed my smile and I can’t thank him enough. My 1st encounter with Dr. Kuzmin was for a chipped front tooth that I kept chipping for about a decade, which (unfortunately) eventually required a crown. He immediately started the process and it looks exactly like my real tooth. I can’t stop smiling now. I live about 35 minutes from his office and I will happily continue to take the drive because a good dentist with compassion is extremely hard to find! I highly recommend Pinnacle Dental with Dr. Kuzmin and his wonderful team 10/10!

— Tabatha M.

The entire staff at Pinnacle Dental is nothing but kind and helpful! Dr. Kuzman really embraces technology and has state of the art equipment. Every experience I’ve had at Pinnacle has been amazing and I’ll always recommend them to friends and family. Thank you all so much for making the “dreaded” dentist such a good experience!

— Eric P.

Dr. Kuzmin created a professional environment with highly- skilled people in all positions. The office setting is very relaxed with state-of-the-art equipment. Highly-recommend Pinnacle Dental.

— Linda M.

I just had my first appointment at this new practice and can say I’m extremely happy. Everyone I met, Dr. Kuzmin, his hygienist , Melissa, and the front desk manager, Christina, we’re all warm and friendly and highly knowledgeable and professional. I highly recommend this practice

— Lorraine L.

I had a very complicated case. Replacing all crowns and veneers for entire mouth. Meticulous attention given to all aspects of the treatment process, making sure I was satisfied with process and results at all times. Today had permanent teeth put in place. I couldn’t have even imagined how dramatic the end result would be with a completely natural looking and symmetrical smile. Could not recommend more this whole team for cosmetic and corrective dentistry!. I will be a permanent patient for all my preventative and maintenance dental care!👍👍👍😃

— Sheila M.

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Caring for Dental Crowns in Farmington, CT