Foods and Drinks to Avoid with Crowns
The standard treatment for a tooth extensively damaged by decay or trauma is a dental crown. These restorations are placed over a compromised tooth, giving it the support and strength it needs to function normally again.
Dr. Bruce Wilderman can place porcelain dental crowns at his Philadelphia PA practice to restore your oral health. Learn how to get the most out of your crown by reading about which foods and drinks to avoid with crowns.
How Long Does a Crown Last?
With the right care, dental crowns last about a decade. Some patients have reported enjoying a functioning crown for as long as 25 years.
The good news is that caring for your dental crown is easy. Brush and floss as you normally would, and be sure to see your dentist at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings.
Additionally, there are avoid certain foods and drinks you should avoid as outlined here.
Food Restrictions for Temporary Crowns
The dental crown treatment process involves two appointments. At the first, your damaged tooth is treated and impressions are taken.
These impressions are sent to a lab, where technicians craft your crown. It takes about two weeks for your crown to be made. While you wait, you will have a temporary crown in place.
A temporary crown is made from different materials and is not secured as strongly as a permanent crown. As such, your temporary crown is more prone to being dislodged or damaged.
While wearing the temporary crown, patients should avoid the following foods:
- Hard foods, like apples and crusty breads
- Chewy foods, like steak and candies
- Crunchy foods, like chips, seeds, or nuts
Foods to Avoid with Permanent Crowns
Your permanent dental crown is designed to last for years. While you can eat just about anything you want, avoiding the following will go far in safeguarding your crown against chipping:
- Chewing on ice
- Biting into foods like hard candies
- Biting fingernails
- Using your teeth to open objects or tear off tags
Keeping Your Crown Bright
Your crown is fabricated from dental-grade porcelain that resists staining. Nonetheless, a porcelain crown can take on a slightly different hue at the edges over time. Sometimes the shade of the natural enamel will become darker or yellow in comparison to the crown.
Tooth discoloration can be caused by smoking or consuming dark-colored drinks and food. As such, a good way to avoid crown and tooth discoloration is by minimizing how frequently you drink dark-colored beverages, like coffee, tea, and red wine. Foods that often contribute to staining include berries, tomato sauce, and soy sauce.
Sometimes, giving up or limiting the drinks and foods we love is challenging. When you do consume dark foods and drinks, rinse your mouth with water afterwards. Brush your teeth as soon as possible to minimize the effects of staining agents by removing the stain-causing particles from your teeth. It is also suggested that you drink dark beverages through a straw to reduce contact with the enamel.
Learn More about Protecting Your Dental Crowns
Dental crowns rejuvenate your oral health and the appearance of your smile. Learn other ways to protect your crown by reaching out to us today. You can call us at (215) 340-1199, or you can fill out our online form.
