New Dental Crown? Tips For Maintaining It So It Lasts A Long Time

If you have a new dental crown, it can last 15 or more years. This could be less time, however, if you do not take proper care of your teeth. Below is some information on how to maintain the crown so you will not have to have it replaced too soon.

Brushing and Flossing

If you have excess bacteria in your mouth, it can have a bad effect on your dental crown, as well as the rest of your teeth. When you eat or drink foods that contain starches or sugars, the bacterium in plaque produces acids that eat away at your teeth enamel. The plaque is sticky, so these acids easily stick to your teeth. Over time, the acid breaks down the enamel, and can break down your dental crown, as well as cause you to have cavities.

To keep this bacterium away, you need to make sure you floss your teeth. This is because bits and pieces of the foods you eat can easily get stuck between your teeth without you even knowing it. Along with flossing, brush your teeth at least twice a day to keep plaque away. When brushing, make sure you brush well where your dental crown meets with your gum line. This is because it is easy for food to get stuck in this area.

Grinding, Clenching, and Chewing

If you grind or clench your teeth, over time, it will cause your dental crown to become loose and break away. If you wake up in the morning and your teeth are sore, you may be grinding and clenching your teeth while you sleep and not even know it. See your dentist, who will give you a mouth guard to wear at night to protect your teeth. This mouth guard is specially made to fit your mouth perfectly so it will not feel uncomfortable to you.

You should also not chew on your fingernails, ice, or try to open anything with your teeth. All of this puts too much pressure on your dental crown.

Playing Sports

If you play any kind of sport that could result in something hitting your mouth, such as baseball, you need to wear a mouth guard while you are playing. If the ball hits you in your mouth, this will prevent your teeth, as well as your dental crown, from becoming injured.

Your dentist can go over all of this with you, as well as give you other tips on how to keep your dental crown on your tooth. Contact a dentist like Clendenon Kirby DDS for more information.


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