How to Care for Your Dental Crowns

Taking care of your new dental crowns is relatively simple. Good oral hygiene and a few everyday precautions can help protect both your crowns and the natural teeth underneath them.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

The most important thing you can do is maintain good oral hygiene. While the crown itself cannot develop a cavity, the natural tooth underneath and around the edges of the crown can still decay.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily, paying particular attention to the area where the crown meets your gumline. Plaque and tartar buildup can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, both of which can affect the long-term health of a crowned tooth.

Healthy gums are also important. Gum recession can expose the margin of a crown and the natural tooth beneath it, potentially affecting both the appearance and health of the restoration.

Avoid Biting Very Hard Foods

Your crowns are designed to withstand normal biting and chewing forces, so you can continue to enjoy most foods normally.

However, biting directly into very hard foods or objects can chip or damage a crown. Be especially careful with ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, and similar foods.

Don't Bite Hard Objects

Avoid chewing on pens, pencils, fingernails, or other hard objects. These habits place unnecessary stress on your crowns and natural teeth and can contribute to chipping or other damage over time.

Be Mindful of Staining

Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, and other highly pigmented products can contribute to staining around dental restorations and your surrounding natural teeth.

Crowns do not respond to whitening treatments in the same way natural teeth do. If you're concerned about the color of your crowns or surrounding teeth, speak with your dentist before using a whitening product.

Use a Non-Abrasive Toothpaste

Choose a fluoride toothpaste that is suitable for everyday use and avoid highly abrasive products that could affect the surface of your restorations over time.

Whitening toothpastes are generally unnecessary for crowns because whitening products cannot change the underlying color of a dental crown. If you're unsure which toothpaste to use, ask your dentist for a recommendation based on your crown material and oral health.

Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush gently around your crowns and gumline. There is generally no need to brush aggressively to keep your teeth and crowns clean.

Protect Your Crowns From Teeth Grinding

Grinding or clenching your teeth can place significant pressure on crowns and other dental restorations.

If you were provided with a custom night guard, wear it as directed. If you develop signs of grinding or clenching after returning home, such as jaw soreness or unexplained wear or damage, speak with your local dentist about whether a night guard is appropriate.

What If My Bite Feels Uneven?

Your bite should feel comfortable after your crown is placed. However, numbness from anesthesia can sometimes make it difficult to evaluate your bite immediately after treatment.

If the crown feels noticeably higher than your other teeth once the anesthesia has completely worn off, or if it hurts when you bite down, please contact us. A dentist may need to evaluate and adjust the crown.

Is Sensitivity Normal After Getting a Crown?

Some temporary sensitivity may occur after crown treatment, particularly as the anesthesia wears off. A crowned tooth that still has a healthy nerve may also temporarily respond to hot or cold temperatures.

If sensitivity is persistent, worsening, severe, or accompanied by pain when biting, contact us or your local dentist for an evaluation.

What Should I Do If My Crown Chips?

If you notice a chip or fracture, avoid chewing on the affected tooth and contact a dentist for an evaluation.

Whether the crown can be repaired or needs to be replaced depends on the location and extent of the damage and the type of crown.

What Should I Do If My Crown Feels Loose?

If your crown feels loose, avoid chewing on it and contact us or your local dentist promptly.

A loose crown can allow bacteria and food debris to reach areas around the underlying tooth, so it should be evaluated rather than ignored.

What Should I Do If My Crown Falls Off?

If your crown comes off, keep the crown in a safe place and contact us or a local dentist as soon as possible.

Do not use household glue or other products that are not intended for dental use. A dentist will need to evaluate the underlying tooth and determine whether the crown can be re-cemented or whether additional treatment or a replacement crown is necessary.

Visit Your Local Dentist Regularly

Continue seeing your local dentist for routine examinations and professional cleanings. Regular dental care helps your dentist monitor the health of your crowned teeth, surrounding gums, and the rest of your mouth.

For many patients, dental checkups are recommended approximately every six months, although your dentist may recommend a different schedule based on your individual oral health needs.

Have questions? Contact us.