A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its original shape, size, strength, and appearance. This restoration fully covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, functioning as a protective shield against further decay or fracture. To protect this investment and ensure the crown’s longevity, a mindful approach to daily habits and dietary choices is necessary.
Immediate Precautions for Temporary Crowns
Temporary crowns, made from materials like acrylic or composite resin, are held in place with a weaker, temporary dental cement. This makes them more vulnerable to dislodgement or damage than the final restoration. To prevent the crown from coming loose, patients should avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where the temporary crown is located.
Immediate dietary restrictions focus on eliminating substances that could pull the restoration off the tooth surface. Sticky or chewy foods, such as caramel, taffy, or chewing gum, must be avoided entirely. Hard foods like nuts, ice, or raw vegetables should also be avoided because the mechanical stress can crack the weaker temporary material. When flossing, gently slide the floss out from the side rather than lifting it upward to maintain the cement bond.
Long-Term Dietary Risks to Permanent Crowns
While permanent crowns are highly durable, specific long-term dietary habits can compromise their structural integrity and the seal around the tooth.
Hard Foods
Hard foods pose a direct mechanical threat, potentially leading to chipping, cracking, or fracturing the crown material, which is often porcelain or ceramic. Items like ice cubes, hard candies, popcorn kernels, and certain nuts should be avoided completely to prevent excessive pressure on the crown.
Sticky and Chewy Foods
Sticky and chewy foods can weaken the cement seal holding the permanent crown in place over time. Foods such as gummy candies, dried fruits, and tough or chewy meats adhere strongly to the crown surface. The repeated pulling action during chewing gradually compromises the adhesive bond, increasing the risk of the crown loosening or coming off entirely.
Acidic Foods and Beverages
Acidic foods and beverages present a chemical risk by eroding the dental cement that seals the crown to the underlying tooth structure. Frequent consumption of highly acidic items, including citrus fruits, sodas, sports drinks, and vinegar-based dressings, can weaken the cement margin. This erosion creates microscopic pathways for bacteria to enter, potentially causing decay in the natural tooth tissue beneath the crown.
Non-Food Habits That Damage Crowns
Beyond diet, certain mechanical behaviors and lifestyle choices can compromise the lifespan and aesthetic quality of a permanent crown.
Using Teeth as Tools
Using teeth as tools, such as biting fingernails, tearing open packaging, or holding objects like pens, exerts damaging lateral and shear forces on the restorations. These actions can lead to stress fractures or chipping along the crown margins, similar to the damage caused by hard foods.
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Habitual teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism) creates intense and prolonged pressure that accelerates the wear on the crown surface and the underlying tooth. For individuals who exhibit this behavior, particularly while sleeping, wearing a custom-fitted nightguard is a necessary protective measure to absorb and distribute these excessive forces.
Staining Agents
Crown materials, especially porcelain, are susceptible to staining and unlike natural enamel, they cannot be whitened with conventional bleaching treatments. Substances with high pigmentation, such as tobacco products, red wine, dark teas, and coffee, can cause discoloration over time. Limiting exposure to these agents helps maintain the crown’s original aesthetic match.