Foods To Avoid With Dental Crowns

While the cost of dental crowns is usually covered by insurance, getting a crown can still be an expensive and time-consuming process. Once the crown is in place, it can be tempting to forget about it and continue your normal habits, but not being mindful of your tooth restoration could lead to you having to get the procedure done all over again. 

After getting dental crowns, you may need to make different food choices than you did in the past. Knowing which foods are acceptable can be further complicated by whether your crown is permanent or not. By recognizing which categories of food to avoid you can better plan for options that will not harm your teeth. To get the most out of your dental work you should follow the advice given to you by your dental professional.

What is a dental crown?

Dental crowns are essentially caps that are placed over the original tooth to restore it to its former size and function. The crown is placed with dental cement over your existing tooth and covers it entirely. Most crowns last between five and fifteen years. Proper care, especially in the days following the placement of the crown, helps to increase its longevity.

How to keep your dental crowns intact

While your permanent crown is being made, your dentist may place a temporary crown to restore comfort to your mouth as you wait. Refrain from eating anything very crunchy or sticky until your permanent dental crowns are placed. 

Directly following your appointment, it is a good idea to stick with very soft foods. You can consider options such as smoothies, yogurt, jello, and soup. Just make sure to let all food cool (or warm) to a moderate temperature to avoid pain, as temperature sensitivity is common following the procedure. Once the crown is more permanently affixed, which generally takes a few hours to a few days, it is ok to begin introducing hard or sticky foods back into the diet. 

Foods to avoid with a temporary crown

Temporary crowns are only meant to last a few weeks. To prevent having issues with yours:

• Avoid any chewy or sticky foods that could pull out the crown such as gum, taffy, and caramel
• Steer clear of hard foods, such as ice, granola, and hard candy as they can crack or displace the crown
• Evade foods with extreme temperatures (very hot or very cold)
• Avoid dense meals with hard bread or steak

Additionally, it is wise to try to do most of your chewing on the side of your mouth without the temporary crown to decrease the odds of dislodging or damaging it. Another tip is sliding floss out from between your tooth and dental crowns to avoid accidentally pulling the crown off as you lift out the floss.

Foods to avoid with a permanent crown

When your permanent crown is inserted, avoid sticky foods for the following 24 hours. After that, you can return to your regular diet and most of your normal oral habits.

Though once you get your permanent dental crown you will have fewer dietary restrictions, there are still a few foods you should avoid, including:

• Tough or crunchy foods like seeds or pretzels because they can break or chip your dental restoration
• Viscous foods such as steak and candy that can tear off or even uproot your dental crown
• Popcorn and nuts because biting down on nuts or a raw popcorn kernel can be detrimental to a dental crown

You should also avoid chewing on ice because it can damage your crowns. Additionally, you are advised to eat cooked vegetables rather than raw vegetables. If you have any habits, such as chewing on the end of pens, biting your nails, or clenching your jaw, try to avoid them if you can. If you can break the habit, it will not only help your crown but it will benefit your overall dental health as well. 

Conclusion

Dental crowns are meant to restore the look and feel of your mouth as closely as possible to a natural tooth. They are a tried and true solution to many tooth ailments including broken, mishappen, or discolored teeth. However, since they are cemented into the mouth, you must still take certain precautions to increase the longevity of your dental work.

No dental crown will last forever, but with proper care, you can expect to go ten or more years without needing a replacement. When you have a dental crown installed in your mouth, speak with your dentist about how to properly care for the oral restoration and which foods you should avoid.

Request an appointment here: https://www.southerncalsmiles.com or call Southern Cal Smiles: Susan Fredericks, D.D.S, M.P.H. at (818) 657-8055 for an appointment in our Woodland Hills office.

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