Crowns protect damaged or weakened teeth. They can cover cracked or misshapen teeth, complete a dental implant or protect teeth damaged by decay or injuries. Porcelain crowns are made of porcelain, a material that resembles your natural teeth. Your dentist customizes your porcelain crowns Boynton Beach to match the color and shade of your teeth, giving you a natural smile. Compared to metal-based crowns, porcelain crowns help you achieve a more natural dental look and smile. Here are ways to take care of your porcelain crowns.
Avoid sticky and hard foods
Although porcelain crowns are strong and durable, they can be damaged just like your natural teeth. Chewing hard candies can chip or break your crowns, so you have to replace them earlier than you would normally. Eating sticky foods can trap some bits between your crowns and gum, making them weak or loose. Avoiding sticky or hard foods can help your porcelain crowns last longer.
Maintain correct oral hygiene
You take care of your porcelain crowns just like your natural tooth. Ensure you brush and floss twice daily to promote overall dental hygiene. If you do not brush correctly, plaque can form around your crown, destroying its natural color and your smile. Improper brushing and flossing can also cause germs and food particles to accumulate between your crowns and gums, causing gum infections. Proper brushing and flossing help maintain the natural color of your porcelain crowns and overall oral health.
Avoid poor oral habits
Avoid poor oral habits like biting your nails and chewing on pencils, ice, or other hard objects. Also, do not use your teeth as tools to open bottle caps. These habits can break, chip, or crack your porcelain crowns and natural teeth. Clenching and grinding your teeth can also destroy your crowns or damage your jaw. If you clench your teeth at night, your dentist can customize a night guard to cushion your teeth and protect your crowns while you sleep.
Get regular dental checkups
Dentists recommend you get routine dental checkups and cleaning every six months. During checkups, your dentist will examine your crowns to ensure they fit properly and are not damaged. Dental cleaning helps eliminate any tartar or plaque accumulating between your crowns and gums or between your natural teeth to help prevent gum diseases and cavities. Regular dental checkups and cleaning help your crowns last for years.
Replace damaged crowns
If your crown cracks, breaks, chips, or falls out, consult your dentist immediately. Sometimes broken crowns can cause pain while chewing or biting down. If your crown slips, your dentist will adjust it to the correct position. Your dentist can replace severely damaged porcelain crowns to restore your normal bite and function. Repaired crowns may not last long, so dentists often replace damaged crowns with new ones.
Porcelain crowns restore your teeth’ function and your natural smile. The crowns are durable, but you must avoid chewing hard foods and objects, maintain oral hygiene and get regular dental checkups to ensure they last long. Schedule an appointment with Hugh B. Rosenblatt, D.M.D., P.A., for porcelain crowns to restore your bite and natural dental appearance.