Extend the Lifespan of Your Dental Crown with Proper Maintenance and Care

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped porcelain caps placed over weak, decayed, or damaged teeth to protect their structure and restore their function and appearance. Caring for your crown will help extend its lifespan, so it doesn’t crack or fall out prematurely. With proper care, porcelain crowns from the Family Dental Center of Manteca in Manteca, California, can last up to 15 years before needing to be replaced. What kind of maintenance and care does a dental crown need?

How to Care for your Dental Crown

Quality porcelain crowns are designed for long-lasting use. They’re not, however, indestructible. Bad oral habits and poor dental hygiene can take a toll on your crowns and the rest of your teeth, causing premature damage. Here are a few ways to avoid problems with your crowns and keep them in tip-top shape over the years:

• Brush and floss your teeth daily
• Avoid hard foods and sugary and acidic foods and drinks
• Schedule bi-annual dental cleanings
• Wear a sports guard for playing sports or a nightguard to protect teeth from bruxism
• Use your teeth only for eating, not as tools

You care for your crowns through daily brushing and flossing to remove food particles and debris, especially around the gum line where they sit. Food trapped around the crown can cause plaque to accumulate in that area, leading to cavities. 

Although porcelain crowns are durable, you can damage or dislodge them by biting down on hard foods. Rather than munching on whole raw carrots or apples haphazardly, cut them into thin slices or cook them before eating. Avoid hard candies altogether. 

Acidic and sugary foods promote the growth of harmful bacteria and plaque on your teeth. Plaque buildup under a crown can lead to an infection or gum disease. Avoiding these foods can protect the health of your crown and extend its lifespan.

Routine dental cleanings by our hygienists will eliminate plaque, tartar, and surface stains from your crowns and teeth, leaving them sparkling clean.

If you play sports or partake in activities that pose a risk to your teeth, wear a sports guard to prevent dental injuries. A nightguard can protect your crowns from wear and tear or dislodging due to night-time teeth grinding. 

Dental Crown Fell Off – What to Do?

If a dental crown falls out prematurely, don’t panic! Most of the time, it can be replaced without too much difficulty. Contact our team immediately so you can come in for treatment. Retrieve your crown, rinse it thoroughly, and store it in a plastic bag so you can bring it to your appointment. If the crown is undamaged, Drs. Mitu or D’Louhy can simply reattach it to avoid the expense of having another one made. By acting quickly, we can resolve this issue effectively without delay. 

To learn more about the maintenance and care of dental crowns, contact the Family Dental Center of Manteca in Manteca, CA, at (209) 420-1205.