Have a New Dental Crown? What to Know About Crown Maintenance

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Dental crowns are one of the most important tools that dentists use to help patients with damaged and injured teeth. Dental crowns cover weakened tooth enamel to strengthen and preserve the natural tooth. If you have a new dental crown, your dentist in Brooklyn, OH, can help you learn how to take care of it. Knowing how to maintain your dental crown can help it last for a long time.

Brush Your Crown With the Rest of Your Teeth

Your crown needs to be brushed twice a day, just like the rest of your teeth. You won’t need to brush it individually, but you should choose a toothpaste that is safe for crowns. Abrasive toothpastes — like products designed to whiten teeth — can scratch your crown, leading to stains over time. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. If you need a recommendation on which toothpaste or toothbrush to use, consult your dentist.

See the Dentist Every Six Months

You should already be visiting the dentist every six months for checkups, and this is even more true when you have a dental crown. Conditions like gum disease can cause gum recession, which can put your dental crown at risk. Seeing the dentist will help prevent these problems and can help preserve your dental health.

Avoid Whitening Your Crown

Crowns can’t be whitened, so if you choose to whiten your teeth with a crown, your natural teeth will turn white, and your crown will stay the same color. Ultimately, whitening your teeth will cause the color between your teeth and crown to become mismatched. Don’t use whitening products and don’t sign up for teeth whitening once the crown is in place.

Watch What You Eat

Sugary diets contribute to poor oral health over time. If you like to snack throughout the day, eat foods like nuts, crunchy vegetables, and boiled eggs. This will help maintain your crown over time.

Have Questions About Your Dental Crown in Brooklyn, OH? Call Today

If you have a new dental crown in Brooklyn, OH, and have questions about how to take care of it, we’re here to help. Call today.

Signs You Might Need a Crown and Bridge Replacement

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If you’ve had crown or bridge dental work done in the past and are having issues, there might be a problem. You should schedule an appointment with your dentist in Brooklyn, OH, immediately. But until then, here are some of the signs to look for that indicate a problem.

Visible Damage

Look at your teeth. Do you see any chips or cracks? Do you see wear on your crown or bridge? If so, any of these could lead to further deterioration, like tooth decay and infections.

Lose Restoration

If you can feel your crown or bridge shifting or moving around, the adhesive that holds it in place might have loosened a bit. It might also indicate there is tooth decay underneath. Regardless of the issue, it will need to be fixed right away.

Pain, Sensitivity, or Discomfort Around the Area

Any time you experience pain, sensitivity, or discomfort around your crown or bridge, there is a problem (especially when you’re biting or chewing). These signs could indicate that your crown or bridge no longer fits properly.

Gum Recession

If you begin to notice gum recession or feel a bit of gum irritation around your crown or bridge, or if your gums are red and swollen, there is a problem. These signs also indicate you have a crown or bridge that no longer fits properly. It could also indicate a buildup of bacteria in the area. Bacteria lead to gum disease. So, it’s extremely important that you schedule a dental exam in Brooklyn, OH, immediately.

Changes in Your Bite or Jaw Alignment

If you notice that it suddenly becomes more difficult to chew, or if your bite doesn’t feel the same, your crown or bridge has probably shifted.

The Lifespan of Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and bridges don’t last forever. If you have good oral hygiene habits, your crowns and bridges can last between 10 and 15 years or longer. If your crowns and bridges are nearing that age, it’s best to have your dentist look at them (even if you don’t have any symptoms).

Looking for a Reputable Dentist in Brooklyn, OH?

If you are having pain, swelling, or other issues with any of your dental work, please Contact Biddulph Family Dental today. We will perform an oral exam to identify what, if any, issues you might have. Then, we will provide you with a personalized treatment plan to address them.

4 Commonly Asked Questions about Crowns

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Are you in need of a dental crown? If so, then it’s only natural that you would have questions about crowns. Dental crowns are a common tool that dentists use to help patients protect their teeth, but if you’ve never had one before, then you will need to know more before one is installed. As your dentist in Brooklyn, OH, we’re happy to help you get answers to your questions. Here’s what you need to know.

1. What are dental crowns?

A dental crown is a cap that fits over your tooth. Dental crowns can help reinforce damaged tooth enamel. For example, if you’ve recently had a root canal, the hollowed-out tooth will be at risk of cracking and breaking. In this case, your dentist will put a crown on your tooth to protect it from becoming further damaged.

Dental crowns can also be used to hide cosmetic problems. If your tooth is misshapen, cracked or badly stained and discolored, then a dental crown is an option to cover up that kind of problem.

2. What are dental crowns made from?

Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials. Often, dental crowns are made from tooth-colored material such as porcelain or resin. Dental crowns can also be made from metal. In fact, metal crowns are the most durable of all types of crowns.

However, metal crowns are often the most expensive, and they’re not tooth-colored, either. Which type of material is right for your dental crown depends on your budget, personal preferences, etc.

3. Do dental crowns look natural?

Dental crowns that are tooth-colored look just like real teeth. In fact, your dentist will match the color of your crown to your other teeth, so the tooth with a crown won’t stand out. No one will be able to tell you’re wearing a crown.

4. How do you take care of dental crowns?

Brush your dental crown twice daily with non-abrasive toothpaste, and floss around your crown. Your dentist can show you how to floss around your crown without causing problems.

The professionals at Biddulph Family Dental are happy to answer your questions about dental crowns in Brooklyn, OH. Call today to make an appointment.