Undergoing a dental crown procedure is a common experience for many and is crucial in restoring and strengthening your teeth. While we always aim for optimal dental health where such interventions aren't necessary, dental crowns are sometimes essential. If you've recently received a dental crown, here are some vital tips to ensure your comfort and the crown's longevity once you're back home.

Caution with Eating and Chewing

Post-procedure, your mouth may still be numb due to the local anesthetic used during the treatment. It's wise to avoid eating or chewing until the numbness completely subsides. When you can't feel certain parts of your mouth, you risk accidentally biting your cheek or tongue, so waiting until full sensation returns is best.

Adjusting Your Oral Hygiene Routine

You can continue brushing and flossing as usual following the crown placement. However, some sensitivity to temperature or pressure is normal. If you experience this, consider switching to a desensitizing toothpaste. Don't hesitate to ask for recommendations on suitable brands. Persistent sensitivity beyond a few days warrants a call to our office for a check-up.

Eating Discomfort

It's not uncommon to experience some gum soreness following the procedure. To alleviate this, rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution (one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) three times daily. This simple remedy can effectively reduce swelling and ease discomfort.

Know When to Reach Out

If you notice an increase in sensitivity, discomfort, or an uneven bite after three to four days, please contact us promptly. These could be signs that your crown needs some final adjustments. While we strive for perfection on the first attempt, dental restorations are a blend of precise science and meticulous artistry; occasionally, adjustments are necessary.
Remember, after receiving a dental crown or undergoing any dental treatment, you should never hesitate to reach out with any concerns or questions. Our goal is to ensure the success of the treatment and your comfort and satisfaction. With the proper care and attention, your new crown can be a seamless and comfortable addition to your smile.

Rinse your mouth with regular water after enjoying sparkling water; switching from sugary sodas to sparkling waters like NZ sparkling, Perrier, or Bubly is a positive step for overall health; it's not a foolproof solution for dental health. The common misconception is that tooth decay is only caused by sugar, but the real enemy is acid, which is present in sparkling waters, too.

The Dental Dilemma of Acid Bacteria in your mouth feast on sugars, transforming them into acids. These acids are harmful, eroding tooth enamel and leading to cavities, exposing the more sensitive dentin. Sparkling water introduces carbonic acid directly to your teeth, bypassing sugar. Even unflavored sparkling water, with a pH of around 5, is more acidic than regular tap water, which typically has a pH of 7. Flavored varieties can be even more acidic, nearing the acidity levels of vinegar.

You can balance Sparkling Water Consumption. Despite the potential risks, sparkling water is still a better choice than soda, particularly from an overall health perspective. However, if you're a fan of these fizzy drinks, there are ways to mitigate the dental risks:

1. Use a Straw: Drinking through a straw can reduce the amount of acid contact with your teeth.
2. Rinse your mouth with plain water to help neutralize the acids.
3. Limit Consumption: Try to enjoy sparkling water primarily during meals rather than sipping it continuously throughout the day.

Consider Your Dental Health If you already have dental concerns like weakened enamel, existing decay, or other oral health issues, it's advisable to stick to plain water. Everyone's oral health is unique, and what might be harmless for one person could be problematic for another.

Always Discuss with a Dentist We encourage you to speak with your dentist or hygienist about your dietary habits, especially if you're fond of acidic drinks like sparkling water. They can provide personalized advice based on your oral health needs and help you make informed decisions about your dental care. Remember, moderation is vital, and understanding how different beverages affect your teeth is crucial in maintaining a healthy, happy smile.

As dentists, we’ll warn you away from sweet treats most of the time, but chewing gum is a surprising exception. That is, as long as it’s sugar-free. Yes, it’s true that sugar-free chewing gum is actually good for your teeth and can help prevent tooth decay. Not only that, some varieties may even strengthen your teeth.

Sugar-free gum has been shown to increase the production of saliva in the mouth. In addition to the action of chewing, this increase in saliva helps was away food particles that bacteria could feed on to cause tooth decay. Saliva naturally contains minerals that help strengthen teeth, so when there’s more of it, it follows that there are more enamel-hardening minerals too.

These days, it seems like most of the popular chewing gum brands have switched to being sugar-free. We assume that gum manufacturers are smart enough not to raise the ire of dentists. Most sugar-free gums contain one of three non-sugar sweeteners: aspartame, sorbitol, or xylitol. The first two don’t have any evidence of causing harm to teeth, but they don’t have any benefits either. On the other hand, recent studies suggest that xylitol may reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth and strengthen teeth.

Most sugar-free gums will proudly proclaim they’re sugar free right on the packaging. Several brands also carry the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Any gum packaging that doesn’t proclaim it’s sugar-free probably isn’t. Be sure to take a look at the nutrition label when choosing gum. Bubble gum and retro 20^th century gum brands that have been revived by candy makers are particularly notorious for being sugar-sweetened.

A note of caution: if you have TMD, a chronic painful condition in the jaw joint (called the temporomandibular joint or TMJ), chewing gum can aggravate symptoms. There is a rumor that chewing gum causes TMD, but there is no evidence showing a direct cause and effect as of yet.

There are other reasons to avoid chewing gum other than the possibility of tooth decay with sugar-sweetened brands. If you have braces or oral appliances such as removable bridges, partial dentures, or full dentures, gums can get stuck to them, causing a huge mess & possibly pulling them out of place. If you’re wondering whether chewing gum is a good idea given your particular dental condition, please feel free to ask the dentist.