Foods and Drinks to Avoid with Dental Crowns
Those who are suffering from a decayed, weakened, or fractured tooth can undergo dental crown treatment. Designed to fit over the whole tooth structure, dental crowns provide reinforcement, strength, and protection from sensitivity and further damage.
Patients undergo treatment at our San Antonio, TX practice will need to observe a few guidelines to keep their custom crown looking and feeling great for years to come. Today, our team explores foods and drinks to avoid with dental crowns.
Foods to Avoid with Dental Crowns
To keep your dental crown in good condition, there are a few foods you will want to avoid. These include:
- Nuts and popcorn: Choose soft foods over these types of snacks. In addition to becoming lodged between your teeth, popcorn kernels and nuts can actually cause your dental crown to fracture. If this occurs, a new restoration will be needed.
- Extremely sticky foods: Caramels, taffy, and other sticky foods can adhere to your teeth and partially or fully dislodge it.
- Candy: Steer clear of all candy, hard and soft, as it can have a negative impact on your natural teeth as well as your restorations. If you must indulge, choose softer candy.
- Ice: If you are in the habit of crunching on ice, we strongly encourage you to modify this behavior before receiving a dental crown. Ice can crack or fracture your restoration, and it can damage your natural teeth as well.
Drinks to Avoid with Dental Crowns
While it is true that dental ceramic is stain-resistant, your restorations can still become discolored over time. Even more importantly, dark-colored beverages can stain the surrounding natural teeth, making your smile appear uneven and discolored.
Therefore, we recommend consuming these drinks in moderation:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Fruit juice
- Red wine
If you cannot make it through your day without a cup of coffee, try sipping through a straw. This can help reduce the risk of dental staining, as it limits the amount of time the liquid is in contact with the teeth.
What about Temporary Crowns?
In many cases, your dentist will place a temporary crown while your final restoration is being fabricated. While wearing your temporary crown, it is even more important to follow the guidelines mentioned in the sections above, as the temporary restoration is not as strong and resilient as your final crown will be.
In addition to avoiding the foods and beverages mentioned above, you will also want to steer clear of:
- Raw vegetables: Choose cooked vegetables over raw, especially in the days following your dental crown procedure.
- Extreme heat or cold: Foods and beverages that are extremely hot or cold will not damage your crown. However, they can trigger dental sensitivity, especially if you are already prone to it. It is best to avoid these foods and drinks. Once your final crown is in place, introduce hot and cold items gradually until your comfort level improves.
Contact River City Dental Solutions
To learn more about dental crowns, or any of our other restorative procedures, schedule a visit at our practice. Call us at (210) 349-3745 or contact us online.