A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its size, shape, strength, and appearance. This restoration covers the entire visible portion of the tooth. While the crown material itself does not decay, the underlying natural tooth structure remains susceptible to bacteria and plaque. A specialized cleaning routine is necessary to prevent decay from forming at the margin, the thin line where the crown meets the natural tooth and the gumline. Maintaining a clean margin prevents recurrent decay, gum disease, and ensures the longevity of the restoration.
Daily Maintenance Techniques
Daily maintenance begins with precise brushing techniques that target the vulnerable margin of the crown. You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive, fluoride toothpaste to protect both the crown material and the gum tissue. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, directing the bristles slightly toward the gumline to clean the narrow space known as the sulcus.
Brush the area gently in small, circular motions, ensuring you cover all surfaces of the crown for a full two minutes. This angling of the brush is important because plaque tends to accumulate heavily where the crown meets the gum. Regular string floss is still an option for cleaning between the crowned tooth and its neighbor.
To floss effectively, slide the floss between the teeth and curve it into a “C” shape against the side of the crown. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning just below the gum tissues. Avoid snapping the floss forcefully into place, which could cause gum trauma or potentially dislodge a loose crown. This technique helps scrape away plaque from the sides of the restoration where a toothbrush cannot reach.
Specialized Tools for Marginal Cleaning
For areas that present a challenge to regular string floss, specialized tools offer a more targeted approach to marginal cleaning. Floss threaders are simple, flexible plastic loops that allow you to guide a piece of regular floss under the crown if it is part of a bridge or if the contact point is very tight. The threader acts like a needle, carrying the floss through the space to clean the underside of the restoration.
Superfloss features a stiffened end for easy threading, a spongy middle section for cleaning wider gaps, and a regular floss end. This combination is particularly useful for cleaning beneath pontics, the artificial teeth suspended between two natural teeth in a dental bridge.
Interdental brushes, also known as proxabrushes, are small, tapered brushes designed to clean the spaces between teeth and around the crown margin. Selecting the correct diameter is important to ensure effective plaque removal without forcing the bristles.
A water flosser, or oral irrigator, uses a pulsating stream of water to flush out food debris and bacteria from hard-to-reach areas. The water jet effectively cleans around the crown and slightly below the gumline, offering an alternative when manual flossing is difficult or for patients with limited dexterity. While it is an excellent supplement to brushing and flossing, it does not replace the scraping action of string floss for removing sticky plaque films.
Protecting the Crown Material and Longevity
Long-term protection involves being mindful of both the materials you use and your daily habits. Avoid abrasive toothpastes, such as those formulated for whitening or containing ingredients like baking soda, which can scratch the crown’s surface. These scratches can dull the finish and create microscopic crevices where stain-causing particles and bacteria accumulate.
Behavioral adjustments significantly influence the crown’s lifespan, which can range from five to fifteen years depending on care. Limit consumption of extremely sticky foods, such as caramel or chewing gums, as they can potentially pull on or dislodge the crown. Hard foods like ice, nuts, and hard candies should also be avoided since biting down on them can cause the crown material to chip or fracture.
Habits like teeth grinding, known as bruxism, place excessive force on the crown and surrounding teeth. If you grind your teeth at night, wearing a custom-fitted night guard can redistribute the pressure and protect the crown from premature wear. Regular professional checkups and cleanings twice a year allow a dentist to monitor the crown’s integrity and address any issues, such as decay at the margin, before they become serious.