Aftercare for a dental crown

Dental crowns are very similar in strength to permanent teeth. They are a cap that covers a damaged tooth and look and behave like your other teeth. Thankfully, this means they are pretty strong.

Even with their strength, they still need a little extra care to be maintained. If well-cared for, crowns can last around ten years.

Immediate Care

After getting your crown placed, wet “cement” needs time to harden and strengthen the bond between tooth and crown. In this transition period, being extra careful is your friend.

While the tooth and mouth are still numb from the procedure, only consume liquid foods. With numbness can come a lack of knowing what is sensitive. The discomfort you would otherwise feel at eating something hard won’t be there to warn you. For this brief period, stick to liquids!

In the days following, eat carefully. The longer your cement gets to set without disturbance, the stronger the crown bond will be.

Long-term Care

Dental crowns need to be cared for the same way that normal teeth do. This means doing the following:

• Brush teeth 2x a day

• Flossing daily

• Using mouthwash regularly

When flossing, do not pull directly vertically beside the crown - avoid excessive pressure. Otherwise, flossing is safe and necessary!

It is also wise to avoid chewing hard and sticky foods. If you have any caramel, be mindful of your crown when you do!

Overall, treat your crown thoughtfully to extend its life. Visit a dentist at Midland Dental to check up on your crown.