Dental Crown Aftercare: Dos and Don’ts for a Smooth Recovery in Mentor

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that fit over your natural teeth and restore their look and function. Modern technology and techniques have made crowns a safe and effective procedure whose results can last up to 15 years with good care. Plus, their healing times are not that long. However, you should understand what to do and what not to do for the fastest healing. This article explores the dos and don’ts for a smoother post-operative recovery after getting a dental crown in Mentor so patients can get back to normal.

What to do after getting a crown

Here are a few things to do after getting a dental crown for a smoother recovery:

Do practice good oral hygiene

Crowns aren’t susceptible to decay like natural teeth. However, the underlying tooth can still experience decay, and bacteria can get trapped elsewhere around the crown. Good oral hygiene is crucial for preventing this and allowing your mouth to heal. Brush twice daily with fluoride and a soft-bristled brush. Follow that up with once-daily flossing and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash.

Do eat a liquid and soft diet initially

You may experience pain, sensitivity, and discomfort for a few days after the procedure. Eating liquid or soft foods can help minimize pain and discomfort and help you avoid damage to the crown. Some foods to consider include:

• Warm (not hot) soup
• Protein shakes
• Yogurt
• Smoothies
• Cooked vegetables
• Soft fruits, such as bananas and berries
• Soft pasta
• Hummus
• Eggs

If chewing causes discomfort, you might start with only liquid foods and then transition to a soft diet when you’re able.

3. Do wear a mouth guard and night guard

Mouth guards and night guards protect your teeth and the crown. A mouth guard can keep your teeth safe from physical trauma to the mouth, such as falling or certain sports. Meanwhile, a night guard can help if you have bruxism, or teeth grinding, when sleeping. It separates your upper and lower teeth when you clench your jaw unconsciously, guarding your crown and teeth against bruxism-related damage.

What not to do after getting a crown

Here are some things to avoid after getting a crown for a smoother recovery:

Don’t eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods

Minimize hard and crunchy foods even long after you have recovered. These can damage the tooth cap on the crown by causing cracks that let in bacteria and accelerate decay. Be careful with sticky foods as well. These may dislodge the crown or get stuck in between it and other teeth, leading to further complications.

Don’t participate in vigorous physical activity initially

In general, you should avoid strenuous physical activity for 48 hours after receiving your crown. Strenuous physical activity, even kinds that don’t have a risk of facial trauma (like contact sports), may increase your risk of damaging the crown. For example, working out hard may cause you to bite down unconsciously. Without a mouthguard, you might damage the crown.

Don’t skip follow-up appointments or regular check-ups

Once your crown is installed, your Mentor dentist may want to schedule a follow-up. You shouldn’t skip this appointment because your dentist will check to ensure the crown fits properly and functions well. Furthermore, keep visiting the dentist for regular check-ups, exams, and X-rays. This lets your dentist check on the crown periodically throughout the year and ensure the rest of your oral health looks good.

The bottom line

Crowns heal fairly quickly as long as you know what to do and what to avoid. Practice good oral hygiene and stick to a diet of liquids and soft foods. Wear a mouthguard and night guard as well. Meanwhile, avoid physical activity immediately after the procedure, reduce your intake of hard and crunchy foods over time, and keep visiting your dentist. Following these steps, along with anything else your dentist instructs, will reduce healing times. Before you know it, you’ll be back to normal

Contact Information:
Name: Sonakshi Murze
Email: [email protected]
Job Title: Manager