A dental crown is a cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. The process usually involves two appointments: one for preparation and placing a temporary crown, and a second for cementing the permanent one. Dietary adjustments become necessary primarily during the period the temporary restoration is in place. This temporary phase requires caution because the crown is held by a weaker, non-permanent adhesive.
The First Few Hours After Placement
Immediately following the procedure, the primary concern is the lingering effect of the local anesthetic. Numbness typically lasts for two to four hours, depending on the type and amount administered by the dentist. Attempting to chew while the mouth is still desensitized poses a significant risk of accidentally biting the cheek, lip, or tongue tissue. Therefore, it is best to completely abstain from eating until all sensation has fully returned to the treated area.
Once the anesthesia has worn off, your initial food choices should be limited to cool liquids and extremely soft, non-chewing items. Good options include cold water, lukewarm broth, or a smooth, thin protein shake, which require minimal muscle movement.
Eating While Wearing a Temporary Crown
The temporary crown is fabricated from a less durable material, such as acrylic resin, and is attached using a specialized cement designed for easy removal during the final appointment. This weaker bond makes the temporary restoration vulnerable to forces that a permanent crown would easily withstand. Patients typically wear a temporary crown for approximately one to two weeks.
The most significant threat to the temporary crown’s retention comes from sticky and adhesive foods. Items like chewing gum, taffy, caramels, and gummy candies can adhere directly to the crown surface. When the jaw opens, the sticky food creates a pulling force that can exceed the temporary cement’s bond strength, potentially lifting the crown completely off the prepared tooth. Avoiding these foods is the most important dietary restriction during this interim period.
Patients must also avoid hard foods that require significant biting pressure to fracture or chew. This category includes nuts, ice, hard candies, and popcorn kernels, which can cause the temporary material to crack or chip. Similarly, highly chewy and dense items, such as tough cuts of steak, bagels, or crusty breads, should be avoided. The repetitive forces generated by chewing these foods can destabilize the temporary crown.
Focusing on safe foods means choosing options that require very little chewing force. Smoothies and blended soups provide nutrition without risk to the temporary restoration. Excellent choices include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Soft scrambled eggs
- Yogurt and cottage cheese
- Well-cooked vegetables
- Soft fish, like salmon
- Ground poultry or meat that is slowly cooked until tender
To minimize direct stress on the temporary crown, patients should shift their chewing habits to the opposite side of the mouth. This technique prevents the majority of the biting force from being applied directly to the vulnerable restoration. If the temporary crown is positioned on a front tooth, avoid tearing or biting into foods entirely, and cut food into small, manageable pieces.
Diet After Permanent Crown Placement
Once the permanent crown is successfully seated and bonded, the dietary restrictions largely disappear because the final restoration is affixed with a much stronger, durable cement. This permanent adhesive is designed to chemically bond the crown material to the underlying tooth structure, creating a seal meant to last for years. Patients can return to their normal eating patterns almost immediately following the final cementation process.
Some patients may experience a temporary increase in thermal sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures for a few days after the procedure. This sensitivity usually subsides as the tooth settles down from the bonding process. Although the permanent crown is strong, avoid using it to bite down on hard, non-food items, such as cracking shells or opening bottles. Protecting the final crown involves treating it with the same care given to a healthy, natural tooth.