I have always been one of those people who loves to get out into the world and talk with other people, but a few years ago, I realized that I had to do something about my smile. My teeth were yellow and unattractive, and it was really discouraging to see how much different my smile was. I knew that I needed to get my teeth fixed, so I started working with a professional dentist to make things right. Within a few short months, my smile was completely transformed, and I knew that I owed it all to my dental professional. Check out this blog for more information about working with a dentist.
Harper Hughes
Dental crowns are shaped just like a regular tooth and are placed over your existing tooth in order to restore its appearance, strength, and size. These crowns can be used in numerous situations, including restoring the appearance of a broken tooth, protecting a weak tooth, holding a dental bridge in its place, or even covering a dental implant. Similar to other dental devices, you will need to know how to properly care for them to ensure that they remain in good shape. With proper care, dental crowns can last anywhere between five and 15 years. Here is what you need to know about taking care of your dental crowns:
Foods You Will Want to Avoid
With a dental crown in place, there are going to be certain foods that you will need to avoid. The reason for this is because these foods have the potential to stick to and pull the crown. Over time, this can negatively impact the durability and longevity of the crown.
The most common types of food that you will want to avoid are sticky and chewy foods, such as caramel, gummies, and taffy. At the same time, you will also want to be careful with hard foods. This is because these types of food have the potential to crack, break or otherwise damage the crown. Some examples of these foods include candies like suckers and jawbreakers, ice (if you're chewing on it), raw vegetables like celery and carrots. You can eat raw vegetables, but it is recommended that you slice them up into small bite-sized pieces that are easier to chew.
Caring for Your Dental Crowns
While it is important to be careful with the foods that you consume, there are other steps that you should take to ensure you are properly caring for your dental crowns, which will help ensure that they last as long as possible. For starters, you can try to chew food on the side of your mouth without the crown. This is particularly true after first having the crown installed.
In addition, you will want to ensure that you practice good oral hygiene. Make sure that you are brushing twice daily and flossing once daily and that you are paying extra close attention to the area around the crown. Bacteria is going to be prone to this area, which means it is going to some extra TLC.
Last, but not least, do not forget to maintain your twice-annual routine dental cleanings and exams with your dentist. These appointments will ensure that your teeth, as well as your crown, is in tip-top shape. To learn more, contact a dental clinic like Serene Smiles Dentistry.