Dental crowns are a solution for protecting and enhancing the appearance of damaged teeth. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap. Dentists use crowns to restore weak, broken or decayed teeth. While they are durable, they still require proper care to ensure they last as long as possible. Whether you've just received your first crown or you have a few already, here are some essential tips to keep your dental crowns in top condition.
To understand how to care for your dental crown, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr P Parathasaradhi Reddy, Founder Chairman, FMS Dental Hospitals.
Defining dental crown, Dr Reddy said, “An artificial dental crown is a full coverage restoration which is manufactured in a dental lab and is fixed onto the prepared tooth or Implant abutment using dental glues called cements or resins.” These crowns are made of different kinds of materials. Patients have the choice of selecting materials including nickel chrome metal, gold alloys, porcelain fused to metal, and so on.
Why Are Dental Crowns Prescribed?
Answering this, Dr Reddy said, “A dental crown is used to form a protective and functional covering on a tooth and also to strengthen a root canal treated tooth. It is also used as an abutment crown for bridge.” Adding further, he said, “When Veneers are not able to restore a broken down tooth, then a crown is done.”
How To Care For Dental Crown
To give us a detailed understanding on caring for dental crowns, Dr Reddy listed a few measures to keep your teeth shiny and healthy.
1. Brush Carefully
Even though Laboratory prepared dental crowns are very strong and durable, brushing of teeth and crowns should follow the same motion, always from the gum towards the tooth or from the gum towards the crown. “Horizontal brushing technique is disastrous both to natural teeth as well as crowns as the gums tend to recede and expose the neck of the tooth or margins of the crown. This can lead to root exposure which can be susceptible to sensitivity, caries and weakening of the tooth structure at the neck of the tooth,” Dr Reddy said.
Also read: Five Tips To Up Your Dental Care Keeping Cavities Away
2. Avoid These Foods
Dr Reddy advised to avoid sticky foods, foods which contain refined sugars, refined carbohydrates. “These foods can attract bacteria and cause periodontitis and dental caries. He also recommended to avoid high acid-containing fruits like orange or pineapple as these fruits can cause tooth erosion near the margins of crown causing loss of tooth structure thereby plaque accumulation, sensitivity and caries.
3. Avoid Teeth Grinding
According to Dr Reddy, Teeth grinding or Night grinding is an involuntary habit during sleep in some people. This can cause a lot of damage to natural teeth as well as artificial crowns. Porcelain can wear off easily with people with such habits. “If the dentist notices this problem then he will be suggesting a Night Guard to be worn in the mouth during sleep. This will protect the teeth and crowns from pathological wear. Usually there is an underlying stress in such patients and should be addressed by a medical therapist,” he said.
4. Quit Smoking
Smoking does not directly affect the dental crown but nicotine stains can form on certain areas of the crown. To get this cleaned, it is crucial to visit the dentist. Adding further, Dr Reddy said, “Smoking affects the gums very badly. Chemicals in the smoke can cause vasoconstriction of gum blood vessels thereby leading to poor defence in gum and gingival sulcus fluid. Bacteria will take an upper hand and this can lead to pockets and silent periodontitis develops which will loosen the tooth and lead to tooth loss. Hence smoking should be completely avoided for dental health as well as medical health.”
Also read: A Dental Expert Shares Whether Electric Toothbrushes Are Really Worth The Hype
Tips For Longevity Of Dental Crowns
A well made dental crown should last for a minimum period of 10 years, according to Dr Reddy. However, if the tooth structure is compromised on which crown is placed, then the life of the crown can come down. Here are some dos and don’ts to follow to ensure the longevity of dental crowns.
Dos
1. Soft to medium foods – perfectly fine for crowns on back teeth
2. Soft food only – for front teeth crowns. (Soft bread and ripe banana)
3. Brushing Twice a day with the right technique and use of floss and water flosser suggested.
4. Eating healthy fibrous food (fibrous vegetables and fruits) will clean the plaque which is in the oral cavity thereby preventing gum disease and caries.
5. Dental checkups every 6 months. Dental Cleaning if needed. Full mouth Bitewing X-rays to be taken by a dentist every 6 months to check for presence of Caries under the crown or between the teeth.
Don’ts
1. Avoid bottle opening, nail biting etc., with front or back teeth with crowns. This can lead to fracture of dental crown or natural tooth.
2. Smoking should be completely avoided as the oral cavity gum defence is compromised.
3. High acidic citrus fruits and beverages will decalcify the tooth around the margin of crown and thereby causing sensitivity, plaque accumulation and caries. So they should be avoided.
4. An ideal crown should not pose any issues to the patient after being fixed.
If there is food getting stuck between the crown and adjacent tooth, do not use toothpick, instead use dental floss and report to the dentist soon for correction of the gap or problem.