Did you have a dental crown put on one of your teeth, and now you think that you have additional protection that is going to last the rest of your life? A dental crown actually requires some additional care that you may not be aware of. Here is what anybody with a dental crown should know about caring for their crown.
Visit The Dentist Every Six Months
Having a dental crown means that dental care is just as important as is for the rest of your teeth, especially when it comes to a dental inspection. Make sure that you maintain your visits every six months for a cleaning and inspection so that the dentist can check on the health of the crown. If they see that it is becoming damaged or loose, they can fix the crown before the problem gets worse.
Clean Around The Bottom Of The Crown
The most vulnerable part of a dental crown is going to be that space along the bottom of the crown where the natural tooth is still exposed. This is a surface that is very hard to see, but it exists and is prone to collecting plaque. It's very important that you brush your teeth with your brush over the gum line to remove the plaque that could be in this area. You run the risk of having plaque that eats away at the dental cement that is holding the crown in place and having decay form underneath the bottom of the crown.
Wear A Mouthguard At Night
Do you have a habit of grinding your teeth at night? If so, know that a crown is going to cause damage to the teeth that it touches. It is a good idea to wear a mouthguard when you go to bed at night so that you are not wearing down the teeth on the opposite side of your jaw. Speak to your dentist about getting a custom mouthguard made, which will be much more comfortable than anything you get over the counter at a store.
Avoid Chewing On Objects
Are you the type of person that bites on pen caps or other foreign objects that should never be in your mouth? You shouldn't be surprised to learn that these have a high risk of breaking your crown by putting unnecessary pressure on them. Teeth should only be used for chewing food, and chewing on other objects is going to be bad for your crown and natural teeth.
For more information about dental care and dental crowns, contact a local dental office.
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