4 Tips to Extend the Lifespan of Your Dental Crown

Interested in extending your dental crown lifespan? When a tooth needs better protection against decay and damage, it is important that steps be taken to ensure its longevity so that a possible extraction does not occur. By placing a customized restoration over the vulnerable structure, it accomplishes this task but only if you commit to taking proper care of your new artificial tooth. A local dentist is here to share four tips you should keep in mind if you want to extend the life of your crown and ultimately, your smile.

Maintain Regular Dental Appointments

Seeing your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings will ensure that your dental crown remains firmly in place. Not only will they be able to ensure there is no damage to the restoration, but your dental team will check for any signs of decay or gum disease that might put your already vulnerable tooth in jeopardy. Without these visits, you may be unaware of issues that arise and result in extensive treatment.

Be Mindful of What You Eat

Biting down on anything too hard, sticky, or chewy can accidentally cause your crown to detach. When this happens, bacteria are free to spread to the vulnerable structure underneath, resulting in the potential for worsening decay. Caramels, popcorn, chewing gum, and other hard candies might be something you enjoy, but if you want to keep your crown around for longer, you should avoid these foods. Otherwise, you’ll be left to seek an emergency dentist who can either re-bond the crown to your tooth or have a new one made, which will likely cost more out of pocket.

Avoid Bad Habits

Similar to eating foods that can damage your tooth, you should also consider giving up any bad habits that will do the same. Some of these include eating ice, chewing on inanimate objects (i.e., pens, pencils), biting your fingernails, or opening containers and packages with your teeth. Although traditional tooth enamel is strong, it’s not indestructible, so any of these bad habits can damage your real and artificial teeth.

Adopt Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Making sure that you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes while using fluoride toothpaste will help to keep bacteria away. Also, flossing between teeth to remove any harmful particles will minimize your chances of developing cavities and gum disease. Finally, rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash can help to flush out any debris remaining that might try to harm your natural and artificial teeth.

A normal dental crown can last anywhere between 10-15 years depending on how well you take care of it. To make sure that you don’t have to seek a replacement sooner rather than later, keep these tips in mind and enjoy your smile’s functionality and beauty year after year.

About the Practice
At McDougal and Richards Dentistry, we want you to enjoy a happier, healthier smile. To do this, there are a few key steps you should take to ensure any existing restorations remain firmly in place. Although many are not designed to last for a lifetime, our team is here to deliver helpful tips that will prolong their lifespan. Contact us at (972) 231-5376 to find out how we can help.