Damaged and decayed teeth often require the help of a dental crown to restore their appearance and function. Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that protect teeth that have been damaged by trauma or disease.
Dr. Steven Hochfelder often recommends dental crowns to our Lake Mary, FL, patients. The type of crown he recommends will be based on your specific dental situation, preferences, and budget.
After a dental crown procedure, Dr. Hochfelder provides patients with instructions on how to care for their new crowns to avoid damage, pain, and complications. These aftercare instructions include avoiding certain foods and drinks that may cause dental sensitivity or damage to the new crown.
Foods to Avoid
In the days after a dental crown procedure, and especially while wearing a temporary, patients should be especially careful about what they eat. The wrong foods could put you right back in the dentist’s chair.
Hard Candy
Peppermints, Jolly Ranchers, and lollipops are some of the most popular hard candies that, unfortunately, can cause damage to teeth and dental crowns. One bite could chip your tooth or send a crack running down it. In fact, this is one of many reasons that patients need a dental crown in the first place. And, although dental crowns are strong, they can also break under the pressure of a hard piece of candy.
Sticky Candy
Toffee, caramel, and chewing gum could be sticky enough to loosen your dental crown over time. We especially recommend avoiding sticky candies immediately after placement, but it’s a good idea to avoid these indefinitely.
The one exception is sugar-free chewing gum. After a week following dental crown placement, patients can chew on sugar-free gum. It contains a natural sweetener called xylitol that can actually reduce tooth decay.
Tough Meats
The tooth and area surrounding the dental restoration need time to heal and rest before being put to work. Meats like steak and beef jerky require too much work from your teeth and jaws after a procedure and can result in discomfort.
Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Apples, carrots, broccoli, and pears are healthy food options but could cause discomfort when you have a new crown. Cook these foods before eating them to experience their benefits or choose veggies and fruits that are soft when raw.
Drinks to Avoid
The list of drinks to avoid is much shorter. Patients should simply avoid drinks that are too hot, too cold, and too sugary. Until cleared by your dentist, stick to room temperature water.
Even after you are cleared, dentists recommend avoiding sodas altogether. These sugar-filled drinks can lead to cavities when consumed too often. Especially when paired with poor oral hygiene.
Restore Your Damaged Tooth in Lake Mary
Dental crowns offer a host of benefits, including:
- Restoring a tooth after root canal therapy
- Strengthening weakened or damaged teeth
- Holding together a broken or cracked tooth
- Covering up chips and cracks
- Covering a large filling
- Attaching to a dental implant
- Securing a dental bridge
Don’t wait any longer to experience these benefits. Contact Dr. Steven Hochfelder’s office today at (407) 321-8900 or message us online today.