A dental crown is built to be stable and durable, like a natural tooth. However, many patients tell us that they’re nervous about brushing too hard or at the wrong angle around a crown, and loosening or damaging it. The good news is that:
- Securely placed dental crowns are far more sturdy than many people realize.
- With proper, gentle technique and the right tools, you can keep a crown (and the teeth around it) strong and healthy for many years.
To brush around a crown without damaging it, use a soft-bristled toothbrush with light pressure, angling the bristles toward the gumline. Also, try to choose a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste (to avoid scratching the crown’s surface), and floss gently around the crown every day.
Proper Brushing Tools and Technique
Generally, a proper oral hygiene routine starts with brushing twice a day, for two minutes each time, using a soft-bristled brush and a smooth, circular motion. When brushing around a crown, tilt the bristles slightly toward the gumline for thorough cleaning without aggressive scrubbing, which can irritate your gums and scratch the crown.
Take your time along the gumline, where the edge of the crown meets the tooth. This is a prime spot for plaque to accumulate. Also, look for a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, since some formulas can be too harsh on crown materials. The same daily care protects a bridge, whose anchor teeth are similar to crowns, and must remain clean to last.
Focus on Gentle Flossing
Flossing matters as much as brushing, since food and plaque collect around the edges of a crown. Proper flossing technique involves sliding the floss gently between teeth and curving it into a C-shape around the contours of each tooth and crown (rather than just jerking it violently up and down). If traditional floss feels awkward, look for soft-tipped floss picks or interdental brushes designed for tight spaces.
Protect Your Crown in Daily Life
Even with excellent at-home care, crowns can loosen or wear over time. Food choices matter, since a crown can chip or come loose under the wrong kind of force. Similarly significant are certain discreet daily habits. Be careful with:
- Hard bread and whole apples, which can put stress on teeth and restorations and are safer when cut into bite-size pieces
- Unpopped kernels or pits when eating popcorn or olives
- Especially sticky or chewy and fibrous foods, like taffy and steak, which can pull a crown loose
- Chewing ice, or opening packages with your teeth
- Chronic teeth grinding while you sleep (bruxism)
Routine preventive checkups and x-rays let your dentist spot problems with a crown before you feel them.
Expert Dental Crown Placement and Care in North Tampa, FL
If you’re in North Tampa and looking for skilled, precise dental crown placement and expert guidance for aftercare, contact Dr. Roberto Bellegarrigue and the friendly and experienced North Tampa Dentistry team to schedule a consultation.