Your healthy, natural teeth are strong, but they aren’t indestructible. If you don’t care for them properly, or if they’re subject to extreme pressure and friction, they can become damaged or infected, no matter how strong they are. The same is true for your lifelike dental crown, which is designed to closely mimic your healthy, natural tooth structure as much as possible. While strong and durable, your dental crown will last longer if you take proper care of it and avoid things that could damage or compromise it.
Follow your dentist’s instructions for care
One of the most important things about caring for your dental crown, or any restoration, is to follow your dentist’s after-treatment care instructions closely. Everyone’s dental health and treatment is different, and while some instructions are universal (like cleaning your crown and teeth every day), you may have specific concerns that your dentist can warn about. That includes maintaining a schedule of regular checkup appointments so your dentist can routinely check on your oral health and the state of your dental crown.
Address problems like teeth-grinding
Routine care for your crown and teeth may be universal, but one of the more common threats to your teeth and dental restoration may be a unique problem, such as bruxism. The condition involves constantly grinding and clenching your teeth together, which gradually wears down their structures and can leave your teeth weakened. If you have a dental crown in place, then bruxism can also cause you to wear down or damage your dental crown, causing you to need more extensive restoration to save your smile.
Take good care of the rest of your teeth
When you take good care of your dental crown, you naturally take good care of your other healthy, natural teeth as well. Doing so helps improve the durability and function of your dental crown, as well. By preventing additional oral health concerns from developing, practicing good hygiene and preventive dental care will help you avoid the need for more extensive restorative treatment later. It will also help you preserve the health and integrity of the tooth structure underneath your dental crown, as well as the longevity of the restoration itself.
Learn how to make your crown last longer
Your dental crown isn’t indestructible, but with proper care and maintenance, you can make it last much longer. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Peddicord Family Dentistry in Ankeny, IA, today at (515) 963-3339. We also proudly serve patients of all ages who live in Bondurant, Polk City, Elkhart, Alleman, Cambridge, and all surrounding communities.