How to Care for Dental Crowns

The tooth underneath still matters

Ceramic and metal do not decay, which sometimes leads patients to assume a crowned tooth is finished business. The natural tooth beneath remains alive in most cases, and the junction between crown and tooth sits at or near the gumline where plaque naturally collects.

Decay at that margin is one of the most common reasons crowns need replacing.

Daily care

Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, angling the bristles to clean along the gumline of the crowned tooth as carefully as any other. Clean between the teeth daily with floss or an interdental brush.

When flossing a crowned tooth, slide the floss out sideways rather than snapping it upwards if it catches, so the margin is not disturbed.

Habits that shorten crown life

Most crown failures involve force rather than hygiene.

• Chewing ice, hard sweets, popcorn kernels or bones
• Opening packaging or biting thread with your teeth
• Nail biting and pen chewing
• Untreated grinding or clenching, particularly at night

Temporary crowns

A temporary crown is cemented lightly so it can be removed easily later. Avoid sticky foods on that side, chew on the other side where possible, and pull floss out sideways rather than upwards. If it comes off, keep it and contact the practice — leaving the prepared tooth uncovered lets it drift and become sensitive.

When to call

Contact your dentist if the crown feels high or the bite has changed, if you notice a rough edge or gap, if there is pain on biting, ongoing sensitivity, swelling or bleeding around the crown, or if the crown loosens or comes off. Small problems addressed early are often repairable; the same problem later may cost the tooth.