How to Maintain Strong, Beautiful Crowns That Last
If you’ve recently had a dental crown procedure or are planning one, taking proper care of your crown is key to keeping your smile healthy and functional for years to come. At our Pearl, MS, dental office, Dr. Alexa Lampkin and our team help patients protect their dental crowns through preventive care, education, and personalized maintenance tips.
Call our office at (601) 882-5600 or schedule an appointment online to learn how to keep your dental crown in top shape. We proudly serve Brandon, Richland, Jackson, Florence, and surrounding Mississippi communities.
Why Proper Care for Your Dental Crown Matters
Your dental crown isn’t just a cosmetic fix—it’s a long-lasting restoration designed to strengthen and protect a damaged tooth. However, like your natural teeth, it requires good oral hygiene habits and consistent care to stay strong.
Here’s why dental crown aftercare is so important:
- Healing and Recovery: After your crown placement, your gums and surrounding gum tissue need time to heal. Following your dentist’s instructions helps minimize sensitivity, prevent infection, and promote faster recovery.
- Preventing Decay and Gum Disease: The area where your crown meets the gum line is especially prone to plaque and bacteria. Brushing and flossing regularly keep both your crown and entire tooth healthy.
- Long-Term Success: With proper care, dental crowns typically last 10–15 years or longer. Maintaining good dental hygiene helps avoid tooth decay, further damage, and the need for premature replacement.
- Early Detection: Regular checkups with your dentist in Pearl, MS, allow early detection of wear, looseness, or other issues before they become costly repairs.
How to Care for Your Dental Crown
1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Keep your crown clean the same way you care for your natural teeth—with a few extra precautions:
- Brush gently twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Use circular motions and pay special attention to the gum line and crown edges.
- Floss daily using regular floss, a floss threader, or interdental brushes to remove food particles.
- Rinse with an antibacterial or antimicrobial mouthwash to eliminate bacteria and strengthen your tooth enamel.
Tip: Electric toothbrushes can help maintain consistent brushing pressure and reduce the risk of scratching porcelain crowns.
2. Watch What You Eat
Some foods can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your crowns:
- Avoid hard and sticky foods like ice, hard candies, or chewy caramel. These can chip or loosen your porcelain coating or pull at the cement.
- Avoid chewing gum excessively—it can tug on your crown or temporary restoration.
- Limit acidic and sugary foods like citrus, sodas, and sweets to protect the tooth structure beneath your crown.
- Minimize staining substances like coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco to maintain your crown’s brightness.
Simple tip: Chew on the opposite side of your mouth when eating hard foods or chewy foods, especially right after a new crown or temporary crown placement.
3. Protect Your Crown From Damage
Your lifestyle and habits can impact your dental crown’s longevity:
- Avoid biting hard objects like pens or fingernails.
- If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, ask your dentist about a custom night guard to prevent further damage to your crown or natural teeth.
- For athletes or active individuals, a mouthguard offers excellent protection during sports or normal activities that risk dental trauma.
- Maintain regular checkups for preventive care and early correction if your crown doesn’t fit properly.
Caring for a Temporary Crown
If you’re waiting for your permanent crown, your temporary crown needs extra attention to prevent sensitivity and looseness:
- Avoid sticky foods (caramel, taffy, chewing gum).
- Avoid hard foods like nuts or ice.
- Chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
- Brush gently and avoid direct flossing that might pull the crown off.
- Rinse with warm salt water to soothe gum tissue and reduce irritation.
- Call your dentist immediately if your crown feels loose, painful, or falls off.
- Don’t skip your follow-up appointment—it’s crucial for proper crown placement and long-term success.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your dental crowns feel loose or come off, contact your dentist in Pearl, MS, right away. Avoid trying to reattach it yourself. The dentist can re-cement the crown or recommend a new crown if needed.
While porcelain crowns and metal crowns don’t decay, the tooth underneath can develop cavities if good oral hygiene isn’t maintained. That’s why brushing twice a day and flossing regularly are so important.
Yes. Some sensitive teeth after a crown placement are normal, but prolonged or sharp sensitivity may indicate that the crown doesn’t fit properly or that the tooth enamel underneath needs attention.
With proper care and regular checkups, dental crowns typically last 10–15 years, and sometimes even longer. Factors like oral hygiene, diet, and preventive care all play a role in how long your crown stays in great shape.
Keep Your Smile Strong With Proper Dental Crown Care
Taking the time to follow these dental crown care tips helps ensure your restoration remains strong, natural-looking, and comfortable for years to come. To learn more about caring for dental crowns in Pearl, MS, or to book a visit for preventive care, call (601) 882-5600 or schedule your appointment online today. Our dentist in Pearl proudly serves Pearl, Brandon, Richland, Jackson, Florence, and nearby Mississippi communities with trusted, compassionate dental care near you.