A permanent dental crown is a custom-fitted cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, size, and appearance. Secured with strong dental cement, the crown acts as a protective barrier for the natural tooth structure underneath. The crown’s longevity, often lasting a decade or more, depends heavily on the material used and patient care. Eating hard or crunchy foods, like chips, presents a challenge to the restoration’s integrity due to the mechanical stresses they create.
How Hard and Crunchy Foods Affect Crowns
Chips and other crunchy foods pose a distinct threat to a dental crown due to the concentrated force they apply during chewing. The sharp, thin edges of a chip focus significant pressure onto a small surface area of the crown material. This intense, sudden pressure, particularly when biting down, can lead to restoration failure.
The primary risk is fracture, especially with ceramic or porcelain crowns, which are strong but brittle. While these materials resist general wear well, they can crack or chip when subjected to a high-impact, sharp force. Even Zirconia, known for its high strength, can be vulnerable to chipping if the force is applied incorrectly or repeatedly.
Chewing force can also compromise the cement bond securing the crown to the underlying tooth. Repeated stress from hard objects can weaken the bond, causing the crown to become loose or entirely debonded. Additionally, small, hard fragments of chips can wedge into gaps between the crown margin and the gumline, potentially irritating gum tissue or trapping bacteria that cause decay underneath the crown.
Eating Techniques to Protect Your Crown
Protecting a permanent crown involves modifying chewing habits to minimize direct stress on the restoration. Avoid biting directly into hard or crunchy foods with the crowned tooth. Instead, break chips into smaller, more manageable pieces before placing them in your mouth.
Consciously favor the opposite side of your mouth, using teeth without crowns for the primary grinding and crushing action. If the crown is on a back molar, chew slowly and deliberately to prevent sharp, unexpected pressure. This mindful chewing reduces the chance of accidentally subjecting the crown to a sudden, high-impact force.
Be aware of temperature extremes, which place additional stress on the crown materials and the underlying tooth. Rapid temperature changes, such as biting a cold chip after a hot beverage, can cause the crown material to expand or contract slightly. This thermal stress can exacerbate existing micro-fractures or weaken the cement seal.
Recognizing Signs of Damage and Next Steps
If you consume crunchy food and suspect damage, several signs indicate a problem with your crown. A sudden, sharp pain or lingering sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures signals that the underlying tooth structure is exposed or compromised. You might also feel a distinctly sharp edge with your tongue or notice the crown feels “high” or different in your bite.
A more serious sign is the crown feeling loose, wobbly, or shifting slightly when you chew. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your dentist immediately for an assessment. Until your appointment, avoid chewing on that side of the mouth completely to prevent further damage to the crown or the natural tooth underneath.
If the crown comes off entirely, retrieve it, gently clean it, and store it safely in a sealed container or bag. In an emergency, and only if instructed by your dentist, you may temporarily secure it using an over-the-counter dental adhesive, but this is not a permanent solution. Prompt professional attention is required to re-cement the crown and ensure the health of the prepared tooth.