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Care For Crowns And Dental Bridges

5 September 2017 by Gregory Price

After you've had a missing tooth replaced with crown or dental bridge, it's essential that you provide the right care for the new addition to your mouth. Crowns and bridges will not last indefinitely, but you can make them last longer if you are diligent about daily maintenance.

Temporary care

Before you get a permanent crown or bridge, you'll likely receive a temporary crown or bridge that is meant to protect the teeth until your permanent replacement is custom made for your mouth. Temporary crowns and bridges are only meant to last as long as they need to for you to get something better, but you still want them to last the entire time, so you don;t have to go in for another replacement.

You should be sure to wait until the cement has set completely before chewing after your appointment. When brushing, use only very gentle pressure. Avoid sticky candies and foods that could pull the crown or bridge out of place. You will have to floss very carefully, because with aggressive flossing you could accidentally move the crown or bridge out of place. 

Permanent Care

After your get your temporary appliance removed, it's time to adapt to a permanent crown or bridge. These are much more resilient. While temporary crowns are made from acrylic, the permanent replacement is usually made with beautifully crafted porcelain or ceramic that looks like enamel. The porcelain is much stronger and can stand up to the normal wear and tear of typical eating habits. However, you should make sure to:

• avoid tough or sticky taffy and similar candies. These are still harmful to dental work, and they are also damaging to your regular teeth. 
• brush with sensitive tooth paste and avoid hot and cold extremes. Crowns and bridges may cover teeth that have been broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged. These areas can be sensitive, especially at first, because the thin covering of the dental repair does not exactly mimic the security of natural enamel. 
• never skip brushing and flossing. The area where the bridge or crown meets the gum line needs special attention. This area is more susceptible to inflammation if not properly cared for. You should also floss under the false tooth of a bridge, as well as clean in and around any of the crevices that the device may create. Some people find it helpful to use a water flosser for better care. 
• avoid chewing things that aren't food. Ice is a particularly bad thing to chew on with a crown or bridge. They can easily crack under the pressure of chomping on ice. You can also break or damage cosmetic dental work if you chew on fingernails, pen lids, and pencils. Your teeth should be used for food only. 
• wear a mouth guard at night if your grind your teeth. Because porcelain is slightly harder than your enamel, it can actually damage your remaining teeth if you struggle with bruxism. Grinding can damage your teeth under normal circumstances, but with replacement teeth it is even more destructive. Try to avoid clenching your teeth when you are stressed, angry, or upset. 

Some people think that become crowns and bridges are not made from organic materials that they do not need to be cared for as regularly as normal teeth. This is just not the case. not only will a lack of hygienic care lead to increased bacteria growth and gum disease risk, but without the right attention, you'll need new cosmetic work much sooner. 

For more information on proper tooth care and cosmetic dentistry options for tooth loss, contact a local dentist at a place like Greeley Dental Health.

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