Dental crowns are excellent for resolving cosmetic dental problems and strengthening a damaged tooth. They last for a long span with proper care and maintenance. Though a dental crown looks like your natural tooth, they are not as sturdy as one. It is essential to know that dental crowns can also break, chip, wear down, and fall off without proper care. Any damage to your dental crown can also have a negative effect on the underlying natural tooth structure.
The dental crowns are specifically designed to match your natural teeth aesthetically. However, it is completely different when it comes to quality and strength. Your weak natural tooth that the dental crown covers supports the restoration. Therefore, a bad bite or teeth grinding problem can shorten your dental crown’s life span.
What Are The Common Dental Crowns Problems?
Some of the common dental crown issues have been mentioned in the pointers below:
- Decay under a dental crown – In case you get a dental crown due to a worn-out or cracked tooth, your tooth underneath is still alive and susceptible to dental decay. If you do not follow a proper dental hygiene routine, the bacteria can cause cavities on the border between your natural tooth and crown. You will begin to feel pain under your dental crown as soon as the bacteria enter the inner layers of your tooth.
- Infection – A severe tooth infection can result from untreated tooth decay under a dental crown. You might also have to undergo a root canal treatment if the bacteria infect the tooth’s pulp. In some situations, excessive pressure from the crown might irritate the tooth nerve and result in an infection.
- A chipped crown or a cracked tooth – Biting on hard food items such as popcorn can damage your crown, especially if it is made of porcelain or porcelain bonded to metal. Once chipped, it can expose your natural tooth underneath or harm your mouth.
- Gum recession – Plaque can collect between your dental crown and gums if you do not follow a proper dental hygiene routine. The bacteria present in the plaque can irritate the gums and be the reason for gum recession. You need to know that this is an early indicator of gum disease.
What Are The Helpful Tips To Take Care Of Dental Crowns?
Maintaining your dental crown is a relatively easy task to accomplish. Adopting a few tips in your daily routine can help extend the lifespan of your dental crowns.
1. Maintain a Proper Dental Hygiene Routine
You need to realize that the condition of your dental crown is directly dependent on the health of your natural tooth underneath it. If your tooth suffers from serious tooth decay, it may not be strong enough to support the dental crown. Therefore, you need to prevent any dental conditions from affecting the tooth underneath the crown. Brush at least twice a day and floss before brushing for the best outcomes.
2. Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year for Oral Checkups
Your teeth might look very healthy on the outside but decayed on the inside. The harmful disease-causing bacteria can infiltrate your teeth by creating small holes and damage them from within. Dental examinations and X-rays can help identify the current state of your teeth beyond what the naked human eye can see.
Your dentist can check the health of your dental crown during oral checkups to ensure it is still intact and free from any complications.
3. Undergo Professional Cleaning Sessions Every Six Months
Going for professional dental cleanings at a dental office helps remove tartar that cannot be removed by brushing or flossing. Even though the dental crowns are not susceptible to decay, the adjacent teeth can suffer from dental cavities. Your dentist can deeply clean your gum line, preventing gum disease and receding gums.
4. You can Use a Nightguard
Teeth grinding can lead to the wearing down of the lower teeth. So, if you notice yourself grinding your teeth, your dentist can recommend wearing a nightguard to protect the dental crowns and the natural teeth.
5. Avoid Hard-to-Bite, Staining, and Sticky Food Items
The starchy and sticky food items are ideal for the growth of bacteria present in the plaque as they stick to the teeth. These bacteria thrive in the presence of the starch and sugar present in your diet. So, consuming a lot of sugary food items or beverages is like feeding the harmful bacteria in your mouth that can damage your teeth. It is also advisable to avoid hard-to-bite foods to prevent your dental crown from getting chipped.
The staining food items and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, etc., can stain your dental crowns just like your natural teeth. Also, teeth whitening treatment does not work on crowns as they are made of synthetic materials. You can prevent such a problem by limiting the intake of staining food items.
We hope you now know the effective tips to maintain your dental crowns. Contact Arcade Dental to get the best dental crown treatment in Pharr, TX.