A dental crown or bridge can revolutionize your smile – no more missing or unappealing teeth! Dental crowns and bridges can also be costly, so you’d probably like to keep them in good condition for as long as possible. While they are designed to last for years, dental crowns and bridges have a limited lifespan. Fortunately, you can take steps to extend the life of your dental work.

Dental crowns

A crown, sometimes called a cap, is a tooth-shaped cover that fits over a broken or badly damaged tooth. Dentists sometimes place a crown after tooth-saving dental work, such as root canal treatment or filling a huge cavity. Because the tooth is still there, taking good care of the crown and surrounding oral tissue is essential.

Your dental crown can last between 5 and 15 years with proper care.

Dental bridges

Dental bridges replace missing teeth. As their name implies, a dental bridge spans the space left behind by one or more missing teeth. The nearby healthy teeth, known as abutment teeth, are anchors to hold the dental bridge in place. Keeping the bridge itself clean and the abutment teeth healthy and firmly in place is essential.

Your dental bridge can last 5 to 15 years or even longer with proper care.

Dentist Provides Maintenance Tips for Extending the Life of Your Dental Bridges or Crowns

Brush and floss with diligence and care

Brushing and flossing correctly are essential for everyone, especially those with dental crowns or bridges. Food particles can get stuck in the hidden structures of dental crowns or bridges, leading to gum disease and tooth decay in the teeth that support the dental bridge or the tooth beneath the crown.

Bridges and crowns require special care. To clean your dental bridges, use a floss threader or interproximal brushes, which are small enough to fit between your teeth. Cleaning a dental crown is the same as cleaning your natural teeth, but use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean around the crown.

Visit your dentist regularly

During your visit, your dentist will evaluate the condition of your crown or bridge. They will ensure that the teeth next to your dental crown or bridge are healthy, as tooth decay or other dental issues in nearby teeth can affect your crown or bridge.

Avoid biting or chewing on hard or crunchy foods or objects

When you get your new dental crown or bridge, it may be tempting to bite down on hard or crunchy foods you had to avoid before your dental work – but these foods can crack or even break your crown or bridge. Take care when eating nuts or hard candy, for example, and never chew on ice, pencils, or complex objects.

Stay away from sticky foods

Sticky foods like taffy and caramel can loosen your crown or bridge or even pull them out of place. You may only realize that these foods affect your dental work once the damage has been done.

Wear an oral mouthguard for sports

Protect your teeth and dental work from trauma by wearing a mouthguard when you play contact sports. It is also okay to wear a mouthguard while performing any activity that could potentially lead to a blow in your face.

Use a dental mouthguard at night

If you are like millions of Americans, you clench or grind your teeth during the day or while you sleep. This clenching and grinding, known as bruxism, can damage your dental bridges and crowns. Wearing a night guard protects your bridge or crown from damage.

Do not smoke or chew tobacco

Tobacco in any form can stain and discolor your teeth. While teeth whitening can remove these stains from your natural teeth, it may not correct the staining of your crown or bridge.

For more tips on prolonging the lifespan of your dental bridges or crowns, consult Smiles by Shields Dentistry.

Our holistic dentist in Jacksonville supports your health and wellness with compassionate dental care. We offer the cosmetic dentistry Jacksonville, FL, residents rely on for extraordinary smiles. Connect with Smiles by Shields Dentistry for information on dental bridges and crowns in Jacksonville.