Porcelain dental crowns can offer a stunning, natural look along with durability. However, they are still not invincible and can be damaged, just like your natural teeth. In this article, we address a question commonly asked by patients: What can ruin my dental crowns?
What Can Ruin My Dental Crowns?
Porcelain dental crowns typically last for 10 to 15 years, after which some natural wear is expected and the crown may need to be replaced. As mentioned above, dental crowns can be damaged prematurely if proper care is not taken. Let us examine the most common risk factors for dental crown damage:
Staining Foods and Beverages
Even though porcelain is a stain-resistant material, it can still be discolored by such foods and drinks as:
- Red wine
- Black coffee and tea
- Beetroot and carrots
- Soda and candies with artificial dye
- Berries
- Fruit juices
- Curry, red paprika, and other brightly colored spices
We recommend avoiding these products and brushing your teeth immediately after consuming them.
Insufficient Oral Hygiene
Insufficient oral hygiene can lead to several issues:
- Premature crown discoloration due to plaque and tartar accumulation
- Infections of the tissue around the crown tooth and as a result of the tooth itself, in which case the crown will have to be removed to treat the tooth.
To ensure that you have good oral hygiene habits, we recommend following these steps:
- Brush your teeth twice a day for two full minutes, using fluoride toothpaste
- Floss thoroughly every evening
- Add a water flosser as the first step in your routine, followed by traditional flossing and brushing
- Visit your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings
Use of Inappropriate Dental Hygiene Products
Some products, such as abrasive toothpaste or over-the-counter whitening solutions, are not designed to be used on porcelain and can scratch or damage the surface of your crowns, leading to their discoloration.
Bruxism
Bruxism is involuntary teeth grinding and jaw clenching that typically occurs when a person sleeps, but can also continue throughout the day when you are distracted or anxious. Human bite force is powerful, and our natural teeth, as well as artificial dental appliances such as crowns, are designed to withstand only a small amount of it when we chew food.
Constant pressure applied to your teeth and crowns by bruxism often leads to premature wear and, in some cases, cracking or breaking of the teeth.
If you notice signs of bruxism, such as grinding sounds at night reported by others, jaw muscle tension, neck and shoulder pain, or headaches in the morning, we recommend consulting your dentist to address the issue.
The most common recommendation for individuals with bruxism is to wear a mouthguard at night to protect their crowns and natural teeth. Additionally, counseling, physical therapy, and stress-relieving activities are often employed to manage bruxism.
Damaging Lifestyle Habits
Abstain from smoking, which is one of the leading causes of staining and discoloration of dental crowns as well as your natural teeth.
Additionally, habits such as biting on complex objects or using your teeth as tools, for example, for cracking nuts or opening bottles, can cause your crowns to crack, chip, or break.
Accidents
Dental crowns can break due to impact on the face or jaw. Unfortunately, no one is entirely immune to accidents. To reduce their risk, we recommend wearing a mouthguard when playing sports, especially those involving contact or extreme sports, or engaging in other high-risk activities.
Get High-Quality Dental Crowns at Dental Care of Pomona
Do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with an experienced general dentist at Dental Care of Pomona today. At our office, we utilize high-quality materials and modern techniques to provide durable and reliable dental crowns to our clients. We are looking forward to your visit.
