4 Tips to Make Your Dental Crowns Last Longer

If you’re having restorative dental work done on a tooth, you may receive a crown to finish the process. Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that let you keep a tooth that is decayed, broken, or worn out. Your dentist will first reshape your tooth to fit the crown, and then install the crown on top of the tooth, giving it strength and new life.

Crowns are also often used to cover dental implants that have been installed to replace missing teeth, and they can cover teeth that have undergone a root canal as well.

With proper care, most crowns can last at least 15 years, but if you don’t take care of them, their life span could be shorter.

Here are four tips to make your dental crowns last longer, courtesy of our expert team at Portrait Dental.

1. Watch what you eat

The same foods that can damage your natural teeth can damage your crowns as well. As much as possible, avoid chewing hard foods with your crown, as well as chewy or sticky foods, which can dislodge the crown. Chewing or biting on ice or hard candies can cause problems as well, so just be aware of what you’re putting in your mouth.

2. Practice good oral hygiene

This might sound boring, but in this case, boring is good. Maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine that includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Yes, the crown is artificial, but your natural tooth is still underneath the crown and susceptible to bacteria and decay, so make sure you take care of it.

3. Don’t use your teeth as tools.

Do you know how you sometimes use your teeth to tear open packages, pull the top of bottles, take the place of scissors, and just generally be an all-purpose tool?

Don’t do that.

Every time you use your teeth as tools, you’re dramatically increasing the chances of damage occurring. This is especially the case when you’ve had a crown placed in your mouth. Unusual stress or force could cause the crown to break or come off, so only use your teeth as they’re designed.

4. Don’t skip your regular dental visits.

This tip might be the most important. Visit your dentist regularly so they can check the health of your teeth and mouth while looking for signs of any issues. This includes checking the crowns they’ve installed in your mouth. Because they are professionals, they know exactly what to look for when monitoring your crowns for any problems. Going to regular visits lets them catch any problems early, while they’re still small and easier to treat.

If you need a dental crown (or any other dental service), our team at Portrait Dental is here for you. Call our Katy office for an appointment, or request your own convenient time with our online scheduler.