The Don'ts of Dental Crown Care

Pearly whites can get damaged over time for several reasons, including but not limited to tooth decay, injuries and grinding. When it happens, the affected teeth lose shape and size, which can alter your smile. Dental crowns are an excellent solution because their cap shape conceals damaged teeth. Thus, dental crowns can restore your smile in a matter of minutes once cemented into place. Notably, permanent dental crowns should never fail, especially when taken care of properly. However, misuse and poor maintenance can cause dental crowns to fail. This article highlights the don'ts of dental crown maintenance.

Don't Bleach Dental Crowns 

Teeth whitening has never been as popular in Australia as it is today. It can be attributed to increased influencer marketing where celebrities showcase their teeth whitening procedure results with particular products. While it might seem okay to bleach your natural teeth, you should avoid doing it on dental crowns. Notably, dental crowns are created with the colour of your natural teeth in mind. Consequently, it is difficult to tell the difference between dental crowns and natural teeth. However, if you bleach your teeth, the hue on dental crowns remains the same, making your teeth look awkward. The only way to correct the problem would be to replace your dental crown with a whiter one. Therefore, if you must whiten your teeth, it is advisable to do so before installing dental crowns.

Don't Sleep with Bare Teeth 

Clenching and grinding teeth occur naturally when sleeping. In severe cases, the condition is referred to as bruxism. Unfortunately, severe bruxism can fracture dental crowns regardless of whether they are made of ceramic or porcelain. Besides, since excessive teeth grinding can dislodge your dental crown, the risk of choking is quite high. Therefore, never sleep without protection if you have dental crowns, even if you only suffer from mild bruxism. The best thing you can do is invest in a mouth guard to protect your teeth and dental crown from damage. The simple investment can save you from buying a new crown.

Do Not Chew on Hard Items/Foodstuff 

There is a common misconception among patients that dental crowns are the same as dental implants. However, it is not true because dental implants are held in place by implants connected to the jawbone. Therefore, implants can be just as strong as natural teeth. In dental crowns, the porcelain cap is held in place using special dental cement. Although the bond created is strong, you should never use dental crowns for tasks meant for a pair of scissors. You should also avoid chewing hard items, such as plastics and foods like tacky snacks, at all costs.

Contact a local dentist to learn more about putting dental crowns in your mouth.