When you get new dental treatment, it’s easy to feel apprehensive about the aftercare. Knowing how to maintain a dental restoration could help extend its life, helping it to protect your teeth more. With the right care and attention, a dental crown in Glyndon, MD, could last up to fifteen or even twenty years before needing to be replaced. But it’s not always easy to keep your crown safe. While crowns are designed to be durable and long-lasting, they can still suffer from damage and other complications.
How to Care for a Dental Crown in Glyndon, MD
Most dental crowns are made of a ceramic or porcelain material that can withstand normal biting pressure. The materials used for a crown are also not as affected by plaque as your natural teeth. However, you could still damage your crown with improper chewing habits. Plaque could still harm the rest of your mouth, which can affect your crown. Here are some tips to help keep your crown strong and healthy for years to come.
Do Brush and Floss Twice a Day
Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day is one of the best ways to avoid plaque buildup. If plaque causes decay or disease in your mouth, it could affect your crown. You can brush your crown just like you would your normal tooth. However, do be careful when flossing. Pulling up on the thread may cause the crown to loosen or fall off. Instead, pull the floss through the front or back to help keep your crown in place.
Don’t Chew Directly on Hard Surfaces
While a crown is durable enough for regular biting and chewing, it’s not impervious. If you bite down on a hard surface, such as the end of a pen, your crown may fracture. When eating hard foods, try to avoid chewing directly on your crown. It’s also a good idea to cut your food into smaller pieces to help improve your chewing and protect your crown.
Do Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Routine trips to the dentist can be a great way to help keep your crown strong and healthy. When your dentist cleans and examines your teeth, they may be able to spot early warning signs of a problem. Getting treatment as soon as possible could help them restore your crown before it needs to be replaced.
Don’t Ignore a Problem
If something feels off with your crown, call your dentist. In most cases, they can make minor adjustments to improve comfort and functionality. Crowns can sometimes shift or chip, which could cause further complications. Seeing your dentist as soon as you notice something wrong could help.
At Baltimore Dental Co., we provide high-quality dental crowns and other restorations for any need. We can also restore or replace older crowns. Call us today at 410.220.4680 to schedule a consultation and learn more about dental crowns.