Dental Crown Maintenance Explained for Beginners

Start With Your Normal Brushing Routine

Although a crowned tooth still needs brushing twice a day, it’s important to use a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste and gently clean the crown and along the gum line – don’t aggressively scrub, and you won’t end up with cleaner teeth.

While the crown itself can’t decay, just like natural teeth, plaque can accumulate around the edges.

Dont Ignore the Gumline

Take a little extra time cleaning along the gum line where the crown meets the tooth. Gently work the brush into this area at an angle rather than using firm strokes like you might clean bricks of mortar.

The same goes for flossing, except you’ll need to gently slide the floss between the crowned tooth and its neighbor. If there’s frequent resistance or shredding of the floss, don’t force it – there’s likely an awkward bulge around the crown.

Be Sensible About What You Bite

Avoid biting into ice. Even if you’ve done it for years with no problems, an unhealthy bite can put a lot of pressure on the crown.

Pen caps and fingernails might seem like good practice, but many people unconsciously use their teeth when their hands are full. Sticky snacks are another hazard since they require a different kind of force to remove than normal chewing does.

Personally, I’d rather be boring about this and avoid the hazards altogether. After all, a crown is a convenience, not a flex.

What About Staining?

While porcelain or ceramic crowns resist staining well, your natural teeth are much more likely to discolor, which may make the crown appear to be changing color as well.

If you’re a smoker or frequently consume intensely colored drinks, your teeth around the crown may become stained and change the way the crown looks. Again, this is more of an aesthetic concern that requires more frequent cleaning on your part rather than anything to panic about.

Keep an Eye on Changes

Loose crowns are an obvious problem, but the change in your bite can also be a concern. Sensitivity is also something to watch out for, particularly if it develops suddenly.

High spots on your bite can sometimes develop, which not only look odd but feel uncomfortable since the crowned tooth doesn’t fit correctly with your other teeth.

Dental Visits Still Matter

Even if nothing seems wrong, it’s important to keep up with regular dental visits so your dentist can check the crown’s fit, as subtle issues with the edges can only be seen up close.

It might not seem like much, but maintenance is what ultimately prolongs the life of a crown. Brushing your teeth (and the crown) at night, flossing around the crown, and refraining from using your mouth as a vice for inappropriate objects all help tremendously.

In the end, it’s much easier to maintain a routine than to have to replace a crown later. Make sure you get your regular dental cleanings in addition to your maintenance.

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