Dental crowns can save damaged teeth, but they are also costly. Dental crowns can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 in Australia, and most insurance providers do not cover most dental procedures. Unless you have private insurance willing to cover your dental expenses, dental crowns can burn a hole in your pocket. This reason is why you must know the proper way of taking care of your dental crowns. Your dental crowns are expected to last for up to twenty years with good care.
Tips for Taking Care of Your Dental Crowns
Maintaining Good Health and Oral Hygiene
The first step to ensuring your dental crowns last longer is maintaining good oral health. Having good oral hygiene extends the life of your dental crowns; it ensures that you protect your natural teeth too. Maintaining good oral hygiene and regularly visiting your dentist for professional dental care are ways to maintain overall good dental health.
Avoid Grinding of Teeth with a Night Guard
Teeth grinding is usually associated with stress. However, it can also be due to several other factors, such as tobacco and alcohol use. Teeth grinding or bruxism can lead to premature damage to your dental crowns. Wearing a nightguard is one way of taking care of your dental crowns. A nightguard is a custom-fitted appliance that you put in your mouth while you sleep. It acts as a mechanical barrier that prevents your teeth from scraping against one another. Talk to your dentist about wearing a nightguard to protect your dental crowns if you potentially have bruxism.
Deal Quickly with Damaged Crown to Avoid Further Damages
Sometimes, even with the best care, your crowns may be damaged. It is essential to visit your dentist immediately if you notice any chips or damage to your crown to prevent any further damage that may require more extensive repairs. Your dentist will usually be able to fix your dental crowns for a fee. If you feel like pinching pennies, remember that it is still cheaper to have your crowns repaired than to have them replaced.
Avoid Sticky and Hard Foods
Your dentist may have advised you to avoid eating hard or sticky foods immediately after placing your dental crowns. However, it is good to avoid sticky and hard foods altogether. Biting down on hard foods can chip away the dental crown material, especially those made with porcelain. Sticky foods can also dislodge the dental cap, so it’s best to consume these foods minimally if you want to be keen on taking care of your dental crowns.
Brush and Floss to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Regular tooth brushing and flossing can help prevent tooth decay and can aid in prolonging the life of your dental crown. The Australian Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice daily. It is also helpful to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste as fluoride has been proven to help repair teeth and make them more resistant to decay.
Kick Your Bad Habits
Besides religiously following a dental care routine, you must also stop smoking. Smoking can irreversibly stain dental crowns and teeth. Besides damaging your dental crowns, smoking can also damage your gums and the bone supporting the teeth. Other habits that may damage teeth also include the following:
- Nail-biting
- Chewing ice cubes
- Brushing too hard
- Teeth grinding
Take Care of Your Crowns
Taking simple steps to take care of your dental crowns will ensure that they will last you in the years to come. Taking care of your dental crowns does not require a rigorous ritual—it only needs a few minutes of your day and being mindful of your habits. Dental crowns are an investment—don’t let them go to waste, and take good care of them when you step out of the dentist’s office.
For the best dental crowns, book an appointment with Boon Dental today.
