10 Foods to Avoid Following Dental Crown Placement

A tooth crown can be described as a protective cap placed over damaged teeth. Dental crowns are mostly made of porcelain to blend in with the other teeth but can also be made from other materials like metal, zirconia, ceramic and composite resin. When choosing the type of crown to get, you should consider various factors like the crown’s strength, durability, and cost. At Open Wide Dental, our dentist in Phoenix will help you choose one that suits you the most. Our cosmetic and general dentistry experts will consider the following factors when choosing the material to make your dental crown. They include:

• The size of the remaining natural tooth
• Gum tissue position
• The tooth’s location
• The function of the damaged tooth needing a crown

Who Will Benefit From a Tooth Crown?

If you have a tooth cavity that is too large to receive a dental filling or weakened, cracked, or severely worn out teeth, getting a dental crown will do you good. In addition, if you have tooth bridges or a tooth that has undergone a root canal, you may need to get a crown for that specific tooth, as it is normally fragile, thus needing protection.

Tooth Crown Procedure

You can get a tooth crown at most dental offices near you. During your first visit, your dentist will prepare and examine the tooth receiving the crown. This will involve a physical checkup and a series of x-rays to show the condition of your beneath the gums and the bone tissue around it. If you are at risk of tooth infection, dental decay, or an injured tooth pulp, you may have to undergo root canal therapy first.

If you get the green light to proceed, some parts of your tooth enamel will be filed down to create room for crown placement. A tooth receiving a porcelain-fused-to-metal or porcelain crown will need more filing than one that’s receiving an all-metal tooth crown. For people whose teeth are extensively damaged, filling materials can be applied to build up sufficient tooth structure to support the crown.

After the tooth receiving the crown is reshaped, a dental impression is taken and sent to a dental lab where it is used to make your crown. This helps to create a teeth crown that will fit perfectly. It will take about 14 to 21 days for the crown to be made, after which you will return to the dentist’s office and have it placed. During this period, a temporary tooth crown will be fitted.

10 Foods You Should Avoid After a Tooth Crown Placement

After getting your dental crown, it would be best to avoid the following foods as they may compromise the integrity and durability of the crown. They are:

1. Sticky foods – Sticky foods such as candy and caramel have high sugar content and can stick to your crown leading to dental cavities that result in tooth decay.
2. Crunchy vegetables – Until your permanent tooth crown settles in completely, avoid eating anything that is raw and hard as they can damage your new crown.
3. Raisins – Raisins and other dried fruits can pull a tooth crown off the tooth, as they are too sticky. Visit an emergency dentist near you if your crown comes off.
4. Cold foods – Tooth sensitivity is quite common for a few days following crown placement. Eating cold or hot foods can therefore make you feel pain in your teeth.
5. Nuts – Although nuts have high protein content, chewing them can burden temporary crowns.
6. Popcorn – The tendency of popcorn to get stuck under and between teeth is not good for newly crowned teeth.
7. Gum – Chewing gum can damage your teeth, especially if it gets stuck on the crowned tooth.
8. Steak – When not cooked properly, steak can be hard to chew. Try softer proteins like fish or baked chicken for the first few weeks.
9. Ice – Avoid chewing on ice following a crown procedure. Ice is too hard for crowns to handle.
10. Pop – Pop and other cola products should be avoided as they have high sugars that can result in enamel erosion.

How to Remove Food From Teeth After Lunch/Dinner?

• Flossing
• Rinsing with saltwater
• Brushing teeth with a standard tooth