Your new dental crown represents an investment in both your smile and your oral health. With proper care, a crown can protect your tooth and maintain its appearance for 15 years or more. Understanding how to care for your restoration from day one helps you avoid complications and ensures your crown stays strong, comfortable, and beautiful for years to come.
At Coastal Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Dr. William Rolfe and Dr. Emily Hébert provide porcelain and zirconia crowns that look natural and function like your own teeth. Our team offers guidance on proper crown care so you can protect your restoration and enjoy lasting results.
Daily Oral Hygiene for Crowned Teeth
Caring for a crowned tooth requires the same attention as your natural teeth. Brush twice daily using a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, making sure to clean along the gum line where the crown meets your natural tooth. This junction is vulnerable to plaque buildup, which can lead to decay in the underlying tooth structure if left unchecked.
Flossing around crowns demands special care. Slide the floss gently between teeth, then pull it out sideways rather than snapping it up through the contact point, which could dislodge the crown. If traditional floss proves difficult, consider using a water flosser or floss threaders designed for dental work. These tools effectively clean around crowns without putting stress on the restoration. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene protects both your crown and the tooth underneath, preventing issues that could compromise the restoration’s longevity.
Our practice recommends specific products to help you care for your crowned teeth at home. OraCare mouth rinse provides additional protection against bacteria and helps maintain healthy gum tissue around your crown. We also suggest Dr. Jen’s Nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste, which supports enamel remineralization and helps protect both your natural teeth and crowned teeth. These products work together with proper brushing and flossing to keep your crown and surrounding teeth healthy for years to come.
Foods and Habits to Avoid
Certain foods and habits can damage even the strongest crowns. Hard foods like ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, and nuts can crack or chip porcelain and zirconia crowns. Sticky foods such as caramels, taffy, and gummy candies can pull crowns loose from the underlying tooth. While your crown can handle normal chewing forces, extreme pressure from these foods creates unnecessary risk.
Beyond food choices, avoid using your teeth as tools. Opening packages, tearing tags, or holding objects with your teeth puts excessive force on crowns that can cause damage. If you grind or clench your teeth, especially during sleep, ask about a custom night guard. Grinding creates constant pressure that can wear down or crack crowns over time. A night guard provides a protective barrier that absorbs these forces, significantly extending your crown’s lifespan. For patients interested in comprehensive smile protection, we also offer TMJ treatment for those experiencing jaw pain or dysfunction related to grinding.
Regular Dental Checkups and Professional Cleanings
Professional dental care remains essential for maintaining crowned teeth. Schedule checkups and cleanings every six months so we can examine your crown for signs of wear, check the seal between crown and tooth, and remove plaque and tartar that home care might miss. During these visits, we assess the health of the gum tissue around your crown and verify that your bite alignment remains correct.
Professional cleanings remove buildup in areas you can’t reach with regular brushing and flossing. Crowns can strengthen teeth with large cavities and protect weakened or broken teeth, making proper maintenance essential for their longevity. We also examine adjacent teeth and check for any signs of decay that could affect your crowned tooth. These preventive appointments help you catch small issues before they become serious problems requiring more extensive treatment.
Signs Your Crown Needs Attention
While crowns are durable, certain symptoms indicate you should contact our office. If you feel pain or sensitivity around the crowned tooth that persists beyond two weeks after placement, the crown may need adjustment. A loose crown requires immediate attention to prevent it from falling out or allowing bacteria to enter the space between the crown and the tooth. If your crown chips, cracks, or falls off completely, save the crown and call our office right away.
Watch for changes in your bite, difficulty chewing on the crowned tooth, or visible gaps between the crown and gum line. These signs suggest the crown may not be fitting properly or that decay has developed underneath. Dark lines appearing at the gum line of a crown don’t always indicate problems, but they warrant examination to rule out decay or crown failure. Prompt attention to these issues helps protect the underlying tooth structure and may save you from needing more complex treatments like root canal therapy or extraction.
Protect Your Investment at Coastal Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Our experienced dentists use high-quality materials and precise techniques to create crowns that stand the test of time. Dr. Rolfe maintains memberships with the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Hébert completed advanced training in crown and bridge work, bringing technical excellence to every restoration. We use porcelain and zirconia materials that provide both strength and natural appearance, never porcelain-fused-to-metal or all-metal crowns.
For patients without insurance, we offer an in-house dental savings plan for $299 per year, which includes two cleanings and a limited X-ray to help maintain your crown and overall oral health. We accept all major insurance plans and work with your provider to maximize your benefits. If you have questions about caring for your crown or need to schedule a checkup, contact our Pensacola office today.
