A dental crown is meant to be a long-lasting solution for a tooth that is damaged or decayed. Your crown will last for decades or even a lifetime if taken care of. Here is how you should care for your Sydney dental crowns and tips on making them last longer.
Practice good oral hygiene
Practising good oral hygiene is crucial for your teeth and gums’ health and the longevity of your dental crown. Be sure to brush twice a day, floss daily, and use mouthwash to keep your mouth clean and bacteria-free. If you aren’t already in this habit, then do your best to work towards it for the health of your mouth.
Avoid chewing on hard objects
Chewing on hard objects, like ice or candy, can put unnecessary stress on your dental crown and cause it to break or become loose. It can be hard to avoid and easy to forget, but if you must chew on something hard, be sure to use your back teeth instead of your front teeth.
Quit smoking and other bad habits
Smoking discolours teeth and increases your risk for gum disease and oral cancer. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your oral health – and it will help your dental crown last longer, too.
Other harmful habits to your teeth include chewing your nails, chewing ice cubes and opening packages with your teeth. Try to break these habits as they can damage your teeth and stress your dental crown.
Wear a mouthguard when sleeping
If you suffer from bruxism, which is when you unconsciously grit or clench your teeth while sleeping, it’s important to wear a mouthguard at night. Bruxism can stress your dental crown and cause it to break down over time. Wearing a mouthguard will help protect your crown and keep it in good shape.
See your dentist regularly
It is essential to see your dentist at least once a year, even if you practice good oral hygiene and avoid bad habits. Your dentist will be able to detect any early signs of problems, like decay or gum disease, and can recommend treatment before the problem gets worse.
If your dental tooth crown fractures or has underlying problems, your dentist will be able to detect this and most likely repair it with composite resin before it becomes severe enough to necessitate a complete replacement. If you notice that when you bite down, your crown feels different, now is the time for your dentist to examine the situation.
If your bite doesn’t feel comfortable after the crown is fitted onto your teeth, you should tell your dentist that your bite is misaligned. Otherwise, you may cause long term damage to your teeth and jaw.
If you have a dental crown, it is vital to ensure that it lasts for as long as possible. You can help make your dental crown last even longer by following these tips. If you want more information on getting a crown on your tooth and the average cost of getting a crown, talk to your friendly local dentist today at Cosmic Smile!
