A dental crown is a cap that’s used to replace a severely damaged tooth and restore your smile. Crowns are made of a variety of materials but the most popular one is porcelain since it provides quality and longevity. But dental crowns don’t last forever.

Let’s look at some things that indicate a crown failure:

• Chipped crown. Porcelain crowns can sometimes chip. If the chip is small, a dentist uses a composite resin to repair the chip on a crown but that’s a temporary fix. I.

• Crown falls off. If your crown has fallen out, this might be caused by decaying of the underlying tooth and loosening of the crown material. Contact your dentist as soon as possible to get instructions on how to care for the tooth and crown. 

• Discomfort or sensitivity. You might feel pain or sensitivity in your crowned tooth after the procedure since the anesthesia begins to wear off. To alleviate discomfort or sensitivity, brush your teeth with toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. 

• Allergic reaction. Crowns are often made of a mixture of metals that provoke an allergic reaction in many people. Fortunately, allergic reaction after is extremely rare.

• Loose crown. If you notice that your crown has become loose, this may be due to severe tooth decay. Your best bet is to visit your doctor.

1. Give up bad habits 

Avoiding bad habits like grinding your teeth or biting and chewing your nails is essential for your dental crowns. Chewing ice is also a bad idea. If you can’t get rid of grinding or clenching, read the next paragraph. 

2. Consider using a night guard 

A night guard is a good option for those who grind or clench their teeth at night. It looks like a retainer and ensures that your lower and upper teeth don’t touch. You might think that grinding and clenching is not something serious, but this habit wears the crown and the rest of your teeth down. 

3. Avoid sticky and solid foods  

Of course, crowns are durable but they can be damaged by hard and sticky foods. Sticky foods weaken any type of crown while solid foods can crack, break, or chip your crown. Here are 10 foods:

• Crunchy veggies. Crunchy veggies can damage the newly crowned tooth. It’s better to cook vegetables thoroughly and avoid consuming anything raw and solid until the permanent crown has settled in your mouth.

• Cola. Cola is bad for your teeth whether you have a crown or not. This drink is full of sugar and contributes to enamel erosion and cavities.

• Gum. If you have a crown and like to chew gum after a meal to freshen your breath, forget about it. Instead of chewing gum following a meal, use mouthwash or rinse your mouth out with water. Gum can damage your crown if it gets stuck to the tooth.

• Raisins. Raisins are healthy but they are sticky. Stay away from all dried fruits since they could pull the crown right off your tooth.

• Ice. Chewing ice can cause cracks on your crown. 

• Steak. This is not your option if it’s cooked improperly. Hard steak puts a big pressure on your crown leading to damage. Choose softer sources of proteins, for example, baked chicken or fish.

• Cold foods. After a crown procedure, your teeth might become more sensitive. Eating cold foods might be painful for you.    

4. Deal with a damaged crown 

If you’ve got a chip or crack on your crown, you need crown replacement as soon as possible. Cracks and chips are a common problem in people with porcelain-based crowns. A dentist might restore the crown but it’s better to replace it. If your dental crown is already restored, remember that it’s more susceptible to damage and is not as durable as usual. 

5. Follow a proper dental hygiene 

A crown is a way to replace a damaged tooth, meaning they are durable. But it doesn’t mean you don’t need to care for it. Supporting tooth underneath still needs regular dental care to stay healthy and strong. Brush the crown carefully to remove sticky plaque film and floss every day because harmful bacteria and food particles can get trapped between the crown and your gum and provoke gum infection.

Even if your tooth is covered by a crown, you might still have severe sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods. If your teeth are sensitive, try using toothpaste for sensitive teeth.