Aftercare Tips for Your Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are tooth-like caps placed on top of damaged or broken teeth to restore size and strength. They can also act as filings to seal gaps between teeth. They can either be placed on the same day or can require multiple appointments.
Your natural teeth that are damaged or cracked are trimmed down to make an anchor post that supports the permanent crown. At times, cosmetic dentistry may use temporary crowns to restore your smile for a major function.
It is essential to take care of your crowns after placement to minimize the risk of an oral infection. You also need to keep any discomfort at a tolerable level until you completely heal. The following are six aftercare FAQs will guide you on how you can care for your crowns after the procedure:
- Can I Eat Pizza After a Crown?
Hot foods such as coffee, pizza, or soup will damage your crown. You may, therefore, need to avoid them if you experience discomfort. Sometimes these hot foods may cause sensitivity around your crown.
Your dentist will advise you to change your diet after the crown procedure as some foods will be off-limits. Foods which require a lot of chewing will have to be reduced to a minimal level. The best types of food are soft foods like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, yogurt, and soup.
You may also be advised to drink a lot of water throughout the day to wash any excess bacteria which may develop in your mouth.
- Does Alcohol Affect Dental Crowns?
Drinking alcohol may damage your crowns. This is because the sugar present in alcohol may form bacteria that accumulate on your teeth’ grooves. A lot of bacteria accumulation may cause tooth decay.
- Can You Smoke With a Dental crown?
Smoking after the permanent crown placement turns the whole process into a complete waste of time and money as the crowns will fail to integrate. It is also a hindrance to healing. Cigarette smoke may deprive the blood of oxygen which in turn affects the healing process.
Smoking can also be an irritant, making healing gums inflamed. This irritation may lead to an infection that can damage your crowns or make them chipped.
- How Can You Keep Your Oral Health Clean?
You are likely to experience some discomfort and swelling, and minor bleeding after the procedure. However, you can alleviate the discomfort, stop bleeding and prevent further infections by daily cleaning your mouth. This good daily routine includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day and swashing with your mouth wash as directed by your dentist in Summerland.
- Is There Pain Medication For the Discomfort?
It is normal to feel some irritation and discomfort around the tooth after the local anesthesia wears off. Most of the time, pain relievers prescribed by your dentist or over-the-counter drugs can help alleviate the irritation. In addition, some patients may notice that using sensitive toothpaste may help them feel better.
One good thing about same-day crowns is that you will go through one appointment at Summerland Dental Centre, which means you will only endure the pain once.
- How to Take care of the Temporary Crown?
Sometimes your dentist may provide a temporary crown before placing a permanent one. This temporary crown is delicate. Therefore, you will need to chew using the opposite side to prevent dislodging, cracking, or having a chipped crown. Your dentist will urge you to avoid sticky foods for 24 hours to allow the cement to set properly on the permanent crown. Patients can eat and regularly brush their teeth after the cement has dried and the permanent crown is securely positioned in their teeth.
- Are There Any Complications?
It is important to check for any signs of complications that may occur during your recovery process. If you have any issues, you must notify your dentist to ensure that the problems do not worsen or linger more than necessary. The signs to check for include moderate to severe bleeding, excessive swelling, intolerable pain, and loose dental crown. Though it is normal to experience some discomfort, anything severe calls for concern.