Take a piece of regular dental floss and gently work it between the crowned tooth and the tooth next to it. Don\u2019t force it down. Slowly work it back and forth until the floss reaches the gum.<\/p>\n
Once the floss reaches the gum, gently tuck it around the side of the crowned tooth and work it up and down. Don\u2019t push it straight out. This should allow you to clean the edge of the crown without digging into the gum.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Gentle pressure is key to avoid damaging the gums.<\/p>\n
\u2022 If the space between the teeth is tight, sliding the floss through the space may be easier than trying to pull it through.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The floss should reach the gum, but not be pulled under the crown.<\/p>\n
Some crowns have a small ledge along the edge of the restored tooth, which can sometimes hold plaque. This can be hard to clean, especially if it\u2019s in an awkward position.<\/p>\n
After working the floss down towards the gum, gently tuck it around the crowned tooth and work it up and down to clear away plaque on both sides of the tooth. In essence, you\u2019re wiping the tooth with the floss<\/p>\n
Once you get used to the motions of cleaning around a crowned tooth, it should take little time. As such, flossing becomes second nature without having to think about how to do it.<\/p>\n
Water flossers can also be used if flossing proves too difficult. They can prove easier to manipulate around dental work, although I would still recommend regular flossing as a habit if you can manage it, as the wiping action can be important for cleaning.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Flossing should ideally be done once a day, as part of a regular evening routine.<\/p>\n
\u2022 A water flosser can be a good tool if you find it hard to reach around the crowned tooth<\/p>\n
but should not be used as an excuse to avoid flossing between teeth<\/p>\n
\u2022 Persistent bleeding after gentle daily flossing should be brought up to a dentist, especially around a crowned tooth.<\/p>\n