Mar
In our society, having a beautiful and healthy smile is key. Cracked, decayed, or discolored teeth can affect not just our confidence but also how we interact with the people we encounter every day. Dental crowns are designed to cover an entire tooth, so they’re ideal for fixing common dental problems and cosmetic issues. Let’s dive in and learn more about dental crowns and how to care for them.
To learn how to properly care for dental crowns, it helps to understand what they are and how they work to protect your teeth and beautify your smile. While different types of materials can be used to make dental crowns, porcelain crowns are the most common. A dental crown covers the part of the natural tooth that is exposed above the gumline and can be custom-designed to match the color and shape of your natural teeth perfectly.
Frequently, dental crowns are used to cover and protect a tooth following a root canal. However, crowns can also be used to:
For the first 24 hours after your crown is placed, it’s important to avoid foods that are hard to chew. Stick to soft foods like bananas, yogurt, soft cheeses, rice, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, and cooked vegetables. For harder foods, cut the food into small pieces and chew on the other side of your mouth.
For the first 24 hours after getting dental crowns, avoid hot beverages. You can reduce sensitivity by drinking through a straw.
Dental crowns can be cracked or chipped, so there are certain foods you should consider avoiding to keep your crowns in top-notch shape. These include extra crunchy foods like nuts and popcorn. Avoiding sticky foods such as chewing gum and caramel will also help your crowns last longer. It’s also a good idea not to drink or eat foods and beverages that are high in acid, such as citrus fruits and soda.
Caring for your dental crowns is as simple as caring for your natural teeth. Brush your teeth two times a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and use dental floss once a day. Be sure to use a non-abrasive toothpaste so you don’t damage or scratch your crowns.
About two to four weeks after your crowns are placed, we recommend you visit your dentist again to make sure the crown fits properly and doesn’t need adjustments.
If you have questions about how to care for your dental crowns, Dr. Nathen Ellis, along with the team at Denver Dental Arts in Denver, North Carolina, is here to answer them. Call us today at (704) 908-6969 to schedule your consultation, or use our online form to request an appointment.
Dr. Nathen Ellis graduated Magna Cum Laude from NC State University with a degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in Genetics. His passion for dentistry developed while volunteering for a local dental outreach program during his undergraduate studies. He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Dentistry and relocated to Lincoln County. After practicing for four years as an associate, he set up his practice in Denver, NC. Dr. Ellis has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education, including an American Academy of Implant Dentistry course. He’s an alumnus of the Pankey Institute and Spear Education study club.
Dr. Spencer Stewart graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Biology and Chemistry. After being an assistant in dentistry for one year, he returned to Chapel Hill to attend the UNC School of Dentistry. There, he was selected for the Adams Rural Oral Health and Wellness Scholars program, which prepares dental students to work in underserved communities in North Carolina. During this program, Dr. Stewart honed his skills while practicing at the MAHEC clinic in Asheville, NC. Following graduation, he returned to Gaston County and practiced dentistry in Charlotte before joining Denver Dental Arts.


