Everlasting Crowns and Bridges: Keeping Your Brand New Teeth Healthy

Dental implants are a great way to help regain some of your smile back. Although crowns and bridges are designed to restore your smile, you must make sure you take care of them as you would your real teeth. If not, you may find that the condition of your teeth will deteriorate again. With that in mind, we’ve answered a few frequently asked questions about crowns and bridges:

Is it alright to carry on with regular brushing with regular toothpaste when crowns and bridges are installed?

It is perfectly safe to continue using regular toothpaste as long as you do it twice a day. You can also still use floss as you normally would. For more efficient brushing, however, an experienced dentist, such as Dr. Jennifer Pham, may ask you to start using an interdental brush.

How frequently must your crowns and bridges be maintained?

Regular maintenance is important as it helps extend the service life of crowns and bridges. Apart from proper brushing and flossing, make sure you see your dentist once every six months.

Are there any special precautions I should be aware of? Are there crown or bridge materials that require special attention?

As with natural teeth, you want to practice good oral hygiene. On top of that, you should try to avoid sticky, sugary treats, such as gum or taffy. Hard foods should also be avoided. These types of food tend to cause the cement that holds your crown or bridge in place to crack.

Are there any unexpected ways in which crowns can get removed?

What may surprise most people is that something simple as chewing gum or eating something like a soft chew can pull out a crown. If this happens, go see your dentist immediately. Waiting may cause your tooth to break further.