Foods and Drinks to Avoid with Dental Crowns
Patients with damaged, decayed, or weakened teeth can benefit from dental crowns at our Warsaw, IN practice. This type of restoration covers the entire tooth to reinforce it and protect it from further damage.
Dental crowns are strong and resilient, but they are not impervious to damage. A certain degree of care is necessary to ensure your restoration lasts for years to come.
Here, Dr. Bill Stofer discusses the foods and drinks to avoid with dental crowns so you can keep your smile healthy.
Types of Dental Crowns
There are two primary types of dental crowns: temporary and permanent. Your dentist may place a temporary crown to protect the affected tooth while your final restoration is being fabricated. In the sections below, we will discuss proper care and maintenance for each type of crown.
What to Avoid with Temporary Crowns
Temporary crowns are usually made from resin or acrylic. They are designed to last a few months. However, because they are bonded into place with temporary cement, they are not as reliable as the final restorations.
To avoid problems with your temporary crown, we recommend steering clear of:
- Sticky foods such as caramel, taffy, or licorice
- Tough or chewy foods like hard bread or steak
- Hard foods such as granola, nuts, hard candy, and ice
- Extreme heat or cold
Until your final crown is fabricated, it is a good idea to chew on the opposite side of your mouth. This will minimize the risk of chipping or dislodgement.
What to Avoid with Permanent Dental Crowns
Once your final, permanent crown is securely bonded into place, you will be able to use it just like a natural tooth. However, there are certain things we recommend avoiding in order to preserve your restorations (and your natural teeth). For example, do not:
- Crunch on ice. If you chew on ice habitually, now is a good time to stop. This habit can cause chips, cracks, and fractures over time.
- Eat extremely hard or crunchy foods. These may be acceptable in moderation. However, like ice, foods such as popcorn and nuts could potentially damage your dental crown. Use good judgement when choosing snack foods.
- Consume extremely sticky foods. Milk Duds, caramels, and similar foods can pull of or dislodge a dental crown. If you eat these types of foods, try chewing on the opposite side of your mouth.
Other Ways to Maintain Your Dental Crowns
Chewing on non-food objects like pens and pencils can be incredibly damaging to dental crowns and natural tooth enamel. Additionally, using your teeth as tools can be detrimental to your smile. That is why you should never use your teeth to tear tags off of clothing or open packages.
Furthermore, patients should visit their dentist on a regular basis. Your doctor can monitor your teeth and restorations to ensure there are no serious issues going on.
Contact Our Practice Today
Do you have dental crowns? Knowing how to care for them properly can protect your investment and your oral health. Learn more by calling us at (574) 269-1199 or contacting us online.
