Can You Use a Water Flosser With a Dental Crown?

Yes. A water flosser can be used with a crown and is an excellent choice for most people who want to ensure that the area is being cleaned properly. It doesn’t mean that having a crown requires you to be extra careful about flossing.

Is a Water Flosser Safe around a Crown?

A water flosser is usually safe around a crown that has been fitted correctly. It gently cleans the area around and along the gum without having to push the string floss against the crown.

But don’t go straight to the highest pressure, that’s not the point. Instead, begin with a lower pressure setting and move up if you can.

What about the Edge of the Crown?

• A light setting is fine to begin with, and your gums should not be left feeling bruised afterward.

• If the water flosser causes repeated bleeding from the area around the crown, don’t just try a higher pressure to stop it.

• Around a loose or faulty crown, avoid using a water flosser until you have had the situation assessed by a dentist. You don’t want to cause any further irritation to the area.

How Should a Water Flosser Be Used around a Crown?

Keep the tip of the water flosser close to the gum and allow the stream of water to do most of the work. There’s no point in forcing the tip of the flosser against the crown or blasting the same spot for too long.

Take your time while you work around the crowned tooth, spending a little extra time on the area where the crown begins to meet the gum. This is where debris can often get trapped.

Don’t Forget Brushing

A water flosser should not be used as a substitute for brushing, but rather as a complement to it. It’s a great tool for cleaning in between teeth and along the gum line, but a toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste is needed to clean and protect the natural teeth that are present, particularly around and beneath the crown.

When Should You consult a Dentist?

If a crown feels loose or there is a sharp edge on it or the gums are consistently sore around the crowned tooth, a trip to the dentist is in order rather than trying to force a higher pressure from the water flosser. The flosser itself should not be seen as a cure-all for crown cleanings.

If your dentist has given you specific instructions regarding caring for your crowned tooth, these should be carried out in conjunction with any recommendations for using a water flosser or before using one at all. They will know how your crown was fitted and whether the surrounding natural teeth need any special care.

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