Many treatments for broken and unhealthy teeth are available, allowing a dentist to restore your smile easily. A popular solution is a dental crown, a cap that slides over your tooth to hide any damage, like a chip or scratch. If you're considering this option, here's how to take care of it after completing the procedure.

3 Tips for Taking Care of Your Dental Crowns

1. Avoid Difficult Foods

Foods that are difficult to munch on can be dangerous for a dental crown, causing it to weaken or trap particles that feed bacteria. Therefore, avoid consuming chewy, sticky, and hard items, including candy, gum, apples, and chips. For the best results, limit your consumption of these snacks for a few days following the treatment.

2. Break Bad Habits

Several bad habits can damage a dental crown if you aren't careful. Using teeth to open packaging, chewing on pens, and biting your nails are all practices the cap can't withstand, leaving it vulnerable to breakage.

There are multiple methods to break these habits, and you may have to try a few different ones before finding which works for you. Some techniques include using a bad-tasting and clear nail polish and wearing a mouth guard at night. To avoid opening bags with your teeth, keep scissors on the kitchen counter. 

3. Schedule Routine Dentist Visits

Regularly visiting the dentist ensures that your smile is healthy and the crown is in good condition. This professional has the tools to clean your mouth deeply, clearing out any bacteria or plaque forming on your teeth. 

They'll let you know if your current dental care habits have yielded good results or if you need to make any changes to the routine. Remember, at the bare minimum, you should brush twice daily and floss at least once a day.

Visit Patrick T. Hunter, DDS, in Dayton, OH, for all your cosmetic dentistry needs. With over 14 years of experience providing dental solutions to people in need, this dentist can easily fix damaged teeth with a dental crown, improving their functionality and natural look and feel. Learn more about his approach to restoring smiles by checking out his website, and call (937) 890-8957 to schedule an appointment.