Dental bridges and crowns are made to be durable, but they can get damaged just like your actual teeth. With proper care, you can make the most of your investment and avoid having to get a new crown or bridge. Here are some quick and easy maintenance tips for tooth replacements to help you keep your smile shining bright.
Brush And Floss Every Day
Some people will avoid flossing their teeth because they are afraid of damaging their crowns. In all actuality, not flossing is what may cause the damage. Plaque and bacteria can build up around the base of a tooth, causing the surface to deteriorate. This will give the crown less to grip onto, which could eventually make it fall out completely. To avoid this issue, brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. See your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning, and you will be in good shape.
Don’t Use Your Teeth As Tools
Do you like to open bags or rip price tags off with your teeth? This may seem convenient at the time, but it can quickly weaken your smile. Your teeth are made to chew food, not hard objects that are best opened with scissors. You don’t want to create an unnatural tugging motion on your dental bridge or crown. Use other alternatives when you need to cut something, and save your teeth for their actual purpose.
Avoid Sugary Foods
Tooth-decaying bacteria thrive in warm, moist, sweet environments. That is exactly what your mouth turns into in between brushings. You may not be able to completely eliminate sugar from your diet, but try to keep it to a minimum. Chew some sugar free gum for 20 minutes after each meal to encourage saliva production and naturally wash away a lot of that bacteria. This, combined with good oral hygiene, will result in a healthy smile that lasts a long time.
Prevent Teeth Grinding
If you grind your teeth at night or during stressful situations, find ways to stop that habit. You can get a night guard from your Michigan cosmetic dentist to prevent your teeth from grinding against each other while you sleep. If you need something to wear throughout the day, you can get a custom clear tray that blends in with your smile. Ideally though, you should work on controlling the cause of your teeth grinding – reduce stress, lower your anxiety, etc. This will protect your dental crowns and bridges from cracking and chipping.
