How to care for crowns and bridges?

Crowns and bridges need to be cared for much like natural teeth, since the longevity of these restorations also depends on the health of the underlying tooth and surrounding gums.

With proper care, you shouldn’t even have to think about your crowns or bridges day-to-day – they’ll just function like normal parts of your mouth. Many patients forget they even have them after a while! That’s our aim – to make them comfortable, functional, and blending in so well that only you and the dentist know.

Oral Hygiene

Brush at least twice a day and floss daily. It’s crucial to clean around crown margins (the area where the edge of the crown meets the tooth/gum) to prevent decay from sneaking under the crown or plaque buildup that could irritate gums. With a bridge, flossing requires using a floss threader or special floss (like Superfloss) to get underneath the pontic (false tooth) and clean the gap. Our hygienists will show you the proper technique.

Avoid Hard Biting if Possible

While crowns are strong, chewing on very hard things like ice, hard candy, or opening bottles with your teeth can still chip porcelain or even damage the underlying tooth. Use common sense and avoid using teeth (natural or crowned) as tools for cracking things. If you grind your teeth at night, consider a nightguard to protect both your natural teeth and crowns.

Regular Check-ups

During your routine exams, we’ll check the integrity of your crowns and bridges. We’ll look for any signs of decay at the edges on X-rays and ensure the restorations are holding up well. Professional cleanings are also important to keep the gums around crowns healthy.

Watch for Changes

If a crowned tooth ever feels loose, or a bridge feels loose or gets food underneath consistently, or if you notice any crack in the porcelain, call us. Crowns and bridges are cemented, so a loosening could mean the cement bond is failing or there’s decay. Catching it early means it can often be re-cemented or fixed before bigger issues develop.