Aspen Dental: How To Care for Dental Crowns and Bridges

Dental crowns and bridges restore one’s smile by replacing a damaged or decayed tooth’s look and function. However, despite their artificiality, they still require plenty of care and maintenance to last long. Fortunately, caring for crowns and bridges is similar to caring for natural teeth. The only difference is that these devices are weaker than natural teeth, requiring extra care and attention. This article explores several tips for maintaining and protecting dental bridges and crowns.

1. Follow an oral hygiene routine

A great oral hygiene routine keeps bacteria and debris out of the mouth. This prevents bacteria and debris from getting stuck in teeth, gums, or the crown, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Brush twice per day and use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Use gentle circular motions on each tooth and carefully address the gumline. Don’t be too rough, as rough brushing can cause the gums to bleed. Floss once daily, ideally at the end of the day before the second brushing, to clean out debris. Gently insert the floss between each tooth and crown, moving it back and forth in a C shape. Finally, rinse once daily to clean out more debris. Consider a fluoride mouthwash if the goal is to remineralize teeth or an antimicrobial mouthwash if the aim is to inhibit bacterial growth.

2. Avoid foods that can damage crowns and bridges

People often wonder, “are veneers permanent?”, when deciding between veneers and crowns. They are, but they are also weaker than crowns. Still, dental bridges and crowns are less strong than natural teeth. Foods that threaten natural teeth may be a larger concern for crowns and bridges. Types of foods to be careful with include:

• Hard foods: These can chip, crack, or damage dental crowns and bridges. Large enough cracks or damage may require brand-new crowns. Hard candies, nuts, seeds, and pretzels are hard foods that may damage crowns.
• Acidic foods: These can erode the bonding that connects the crown and tooth, potentially loosening or dislodging the crown. Some acidic foods include citrus fruits, tomatoes, and soda.
• Hot and cold foods: Excessive heat and cold may not damage crowns directly, so one may be able to continue eating them. However, they can cause sensitivity in the underlying tooth.

3. Consider mouthguards and nightguards

A mouthguard can protect the crown during physical activities, such as sports or exercise, where facial trauma is possible. It reduces the amount of force transferred to the crown and other teeth.

A night guard can protect one’s teeth and crowns while sleeping, especially if the patient has bruxism (teeth grinding) that could wear down the crown. The patient will instead grind their teeth against the mouthguard, blocking the crown from suffering wear.

Mouthguards and night guards are available at the store and provide instructions for shaping and fitting them at home. However, patients with crowns should speak to their dentist about getting a custom mouthguard or nightguard. These may cost more, but the material may be more durable and offer a better fit for less slippage and more comfort.

4. Visit the dentist for regular check-ups

Patients should continue their semi-annual dental visits. The dentist and hygienist will examine the patient’s mouth, including the crown, to ensure everything looks clean and healthy. They’ll also take annual X-rays to look for issues not visible to the naked eye.

Regular dental check-ups also allow dentists to look for early warning signs of crown issues, such as potential loosening or wear. As a result, they can fix the problem before it requires a new crown or other measures.

5. Report damage to the dentist immediately

If a patient’s crown suffers damage, whether through a poor procedure or during daily life, the patient should contact their dentist to make an appointment immediately. Major damage, such as the crown dislodging or suffering major chipping, is more obvious. These may require a completely new crown, but the benefits of restoring the crown far outweigh the costs of the crown.

However, even minor damage is a cause for concern. For example, a tiny crack in a crown lets bacteria access the damaged or decayed tooth underneath. These bacteria could get trapped under the gumline, accelerate the underlying tooth’s decay, or even get inside the tooth and cause an infection. The good news is dentists can repair minor damage without replacing the crown. This often involves applying new bonding or filing, smoothing, polishing, and reshaping the crown.

The bottom line

Dental crowns and bridges require extra vigilance to stay in good shape and protect one’s oral health. Fortunately, much of one’s natural teeth care is the same for dental crowns. Start by brushing, flossing, and rinsing daily, avoiding foods that can harm the crowns, and visiting the dentist regularly. Consider a mouthguard or night guard to protect the crowns from trauma. If trauma or damage does occur, report it to the dentist immediately to minimize complications. Following these care steps can help dental crowns and bridges last a long time, protecting one’s smile and self-confidence.

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