Dr. Jeffrey Burns, your Vernon, CT, dentist, provides crowns to patients with damaged teeth. Dental crowns are a permanent replacement for teeth and need to be cared for like teeth. Read how to best care for your new dental crown!
The process of getting a permanent crown is involved, and it's best to take care of your new tooth with extra caution so that it lasts as long as possible. Dental crowns are strong and durable but can still be damaged just like natural teeth. With proper care, however, they can last many years. Brushing and flossing is the first and most obvious way to care for your dental crown. Just like a natural tooth, the surface needs to be cleaned to remove sticky plaque and should be flossed to remove stuck food between the teeth.
Avoiding very sticky or hard food is another way to best preserve your crown. Dental crowns are durable but chewing on things like hard candies or ice can weaken or loosen the crown. Very sticky, chewy candies can also get stuck between your crown and gums so it's best to enjoy them sparingly.
A nightguard is also an important investment to protect your dental crowns. If you grind your teeth at night, a nightguard is important anyway to prevent pain and TMJ. But if you have crowns, a nightguard also protects your dental work from being worn down by any grinding. Come see Dr. Jeffrey Burns in Vernon, CT, if you need a nightguard.
Another tip for caring for your crowns is to stop using your teeth as tools! Something we are all guilty of is occasionally using our teeth for jobs like opening bottles or ripping packets open. This also includes chewing on things like pens. All this can put extra stress on your crown, so be careful not to use your teeth as tools.
Lastly, it's important to keep up with your regular dental cleanings when you have crowns. Dr. Jeffrey Burns in Vernon, CT, provides cleanings to patients with crowns to closely monitor the teeth and gums surrounding the crown. Call us at (860) 870-4410 to make an appointment. Take care of your crown and continue to come to see us regularly!