Dental crowns are a modern and popular dental cosmetic method nowadays. Dental crowns help you fix flaws in tooth shape, color and function. However, to maintain durability and aesthetics, you need proper oral hygiene after getting dental crowns. This article will guide you on how to care for and maintain oral hygiene after dental crowns to increase tooth longevity.

Oral hygiene after dental crowns to increase tooth longevity

Why is oral hygiene important after dental crowns?

Porcelain is an inert material, unaffected by mouth acids and bacteria. However, dental crowns still require regular cleaning to prevent:

• Gum inflammation: Without proper oral hygiene, plaque and food debris can accumulate around the gumline, causing inflammation. This can make gums red, swollen, bleeding and cause bad breath. If left untreated, gum inflammation can damage the jawbone and make dental crowns loose or fall out.

Infection of porcelain gums

• Tooth decay: Although dental crowns porcelain cannot decay, the natural tooth underneath can still be affected by decay-causing bacteria. Without proper cleaning, bacteria can get into crevices between the dental crowns and tooth and cause cavities. This can lead to toothache, pulpal inflammation and other dangerous health complications. 
• Discoloration: Dental crowns have high stain resistance but not absolute. Consuming highly pigmented foods and drinks like tea, coffee, soda, tobacco, etc. over time can stain the dental crowns. Discoloration reduces aesthetics and impacts your confidence.

If not protected, porcelain teeth can become yellow

Oral hygiene care after dental crowns

To properly clean your mouth after dental crowns, pay attention to these tips:

Proper brushing

You should brush at least twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime at night. Choose a soft bristled toothbrush that is not too big to effectively clean between teeth. Brush teeth in the direction from gum to tooth, avoiding scrubbing harshly horizontally to prevent gum and dental crowns damage. Spend 2-3 minutes each time and replace your toothbrush every 3 months.

Brush teeth properly to protect oral health

Use toothpaste

Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities. Avoid whitening or abrasive toothpastes as they can scratch dental crowns surfaces. Use an appropriate amount of toothpaste, not too much or too little.

You should use toothpaste containing fluoride to protect tooth enamel

Use dental floss and mouthwash

Dental floss and mouthwash are useful oral hygiene supplements after dental crowns. Floss helps remove plaque and food debris in hard-to-brush areas between teeth. Mouthwash eliminates bad breath, kills bacteria and deeply cleans the mouth. Use dental floss and mouthwash after each brushing or eating.

Proper oral hygiene increases the longevity of porcelain teeth

Massage gums

Gum massages stimulate blood circulation and improve gum disease prevention. Gently massage around gum lines for 5 minutes daily with your fingertips. You can also use gum massage gels for increased effectiveness.

You can use your fingertips to gently massage around the gum line for about 5 minutes every day

Adjusting your diet after dental crowns

Besides oral hygiene, you also need to adjust your diet after dental crowns to protect them from negative impacts. Note these tips:

Eat gently

Avoid hard, chewy or bony foods like candy, nuts, chicken, fish, etc. after dental crowns as they can fracture, dislodge or loosen the dental crowns. Eat soft, easy to chew nutritious foods like porridge, broth, soup, fruits, etc. to help stabilize dental crowns and support wound healing.

Avoid eating foods that are too hard or chewy

Avoid extreme hot or cold foods

Extreme temperatures can cause dental crowns to contract or expand, creating gaps between the crown and tooth. This can make dental crowns loose, fall out or allow bacteria to penetrate and decay the tooth. Consume foods at moderate temperatures and avoid sudden temperature changes in your mouth.

Temperatures that are too high or too low can cause porcelain teeth to shrink or expand (edit lại)

Avoid deeply colored foods and drinks

Beverages like tea, coffee, soda, red wine, tobacco, etc. can stain and discolor dental crowns. Limit consumption of these items or rinse your mouth thoroughly afterwards to maintain dental crowns cleanliness and aesthetics.

Foods and drinks with strong colors can easily stain porcelain teeth

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables

Fruits and veggies provide vitamins, minerals and have teeth-cleaning and gum-stimulating effects. Consume plenty of fresh produce like apples, watermelons, carrots, celery, etc. to help keep dental crowns strong, healthy and bright.

You should eat lots of fruits and vegetables

Please try to follow the above instructions in properly caring for porcelain teeth. For long-term use and, above all, to protect real teeth inside. If you need more information about porcelain teeth, please contact Camtu Dental immediately to receive quick and dedicated advice and support.

In GCR's scale, Cam Tu achieved an absolute index of 5/5 in terms of facility quality, 97% success rate for cases requiring high technical requirements such as implants, porcelain teeth and root canal treatment - Tuoi Tre. 

Tooth grinding is a necessary step when getting dental crowns. However, if done properly with good aftercare, this does not adversely affect the real teeth.

Dental crowns are one of the most modern and effective cosmetic dental restoration methods today. Dental crowns help conceal dental flaws like gaps, chips, discoloration, etc. and give you an even, bright, and natural-looking smile. However, before deciding to get dental crowns, many people often wonder: Is tooth grinding necessary for dental crowns? Will the real teeth become weaker? Is tooth grinding painful?

In this blog, we will answer these questions for you so you can have a better understanding of the process and benefits of getting dental crowns.

Does grinding your teeth affect dental crowns?

Is tooth grinding necessary for dental crowns? 

The answer is YES. Tooth grinding is a required step when getting dental crowns because:

• The purpose of dental crowns is to conceal dental flaws like chips, decays, stains, discoloration, etc. Therefore, to ensure the new dental crowns fit naturally and tightly over the real teeth, it’s necessary to grind off 0.5 – 1.5mm of the outer enamel layer.
• If teeth are not ground down before dental crowns, the new dental crowns will make the teeth appear thicker and cause issues like difficulty eating and speaking, poor oral hygiene, gum inflammation and other dental problems. 
• Tooth grinding also helps the dental crowns bond and adhere better to the natural teeth. This impacts the longevity and quality of the dental crowns.

Teeth grinding is a mandatory operation when getting porcelain crowns

However, grinding does not mean your entire natural teeth need to be reduced. The dentist only removes a small amount of tooth structure (about 0.5 – 1.5 mm) to preserve most of the natural tooth material. The amount of grinding also depends on the type of dental crowns. For example, high-quality Cercon crowns require less grinding compared to regular metal dental crowns.

Will the real teeth become weaker?

The answer is NO. Many people worry that tooth grinding will weaken and increase complications to the real teeth like sensitivity, pulp inflammation, infections, etc. However, these are misconceptions without scientific basis. In fact, grinding only affects the enamel and cementum, the two outermost layers of the teeth. Since enamel and cementum do not contain nerves or blood vessels, removing them does not hurt or damage the dental pulp. 

On the contrary, dental crowns help reinforce and better protect the real teeth. The porcelain acts like a shield against harmful agents like acids, bacteria, food, etc. You can eat and speak normally after getting dental crowns.

You can safely eat and chew normally after getting porcelain crowns

The real teeth do not become weaker from grinding for dental crowns if done properly with good aftercare. 

• The tooth reduction technique for dental crowns should minimize pulp invasion and optimally preserve the tooth structure. The grinding process is careful and meticulous, avoiding gum irritation or injury. The dentist only removes the enamel and at least 1 mm of dentin to create space for the dental crowns coverage. Enamel is the hardest layer of the tooth, protecting the inner layers. Dentin underlies the enamel, providing support and connecting to the pulp. The pulp is the innermost layer containing nerves and blood vessels. Therefore, when grinding for dental crowns, the pulp remains intact and unaffected.

Dentin is the layer under tooth enamel, which functions to support enamel and bind to the pulp

• After grinding, patients get temporary dental crowns to shield and protect the reduced teeth. During this time, they may feel sensitivity from pulp stimulation or ill-fitting temporaries. However, this is temporary and resolves after the permanent dental crowns placement. 
• The new porcelain dental crowns are designed to fit the prepared teeth for a tight seal and bond. The dental crowns act as a protective coating for the reduced teeth, masking flaws and shielding them from external factors. Therefore, after dental crowns placement, patients can eat and speak normally.

Real teeth are not weakened by tooth grinding if done with proper technique and good care

Notes when grinding teeth for dental crowns

To ensure smooth and safe tooth grinding for dental health and longevity, patients should note:

• Consult with a specialist dentist about your needs and desires when considering dental crowns.
• Choose a reputable dental clinic with modern equipment and sterile procedures.
• Select an appropriate dental crowns material based on your financial condition and aesthetic needs. There are various options like metal-ceramic, full zirconia, full Cercon, etc. with different pros and cons.
• Follow all doctor's instructions during and after the procedure. Practice proper oral hygiene to maintain good oral health.
• Get regular check-ups to monitor dental conditions.

Thoroughly examine and consult with a specialist when you want to have porcelain teeth

Tooth grinding is an integral step for beautiful veneered teeth. However, when done properly with good aftercare, it does not adversely affect dental health and longevity. Hopefully this article has helped address your concerns about grinding for dental crowns.

At Cam Tu Dental, customers can find all basic and advanced dental care services, from basic to specialized. Their advanced and highly skill-demanding services like implants, braces, restorations and modern cosmetic treatments always receive high customer praise - Thanh Nien Newspaper.
If you want to learn more about dental crowns or need consultations, you can contact Cam Tu Dental. This is a prestigious and high-quality dental aesthetic provider. Cam Tu Dental Clinic is committed to delivering the best services to you at reasonable costs.