Also known as a cap, a dental cap is designed to cover an infected tooth. There are a number of reasons a dentist may recommend a crown. Maybe your tooth has cracks and chips. Or perhaps it’s broken or it needs to be stronger after a root canal. A dental crown can also cover a dental implant, reinforce a dental bridge, and conceal discolored teeth.
Fortunately, caring for a crown is a breeze. You’ll continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally do. A dentist might also suggest that you limit coffee, soda, and alcohol as these beverages may damage your crown. In addition, you may want to boost your calcium intake and take a daily dose of vitamins C and D. If you smoke, quitting is a smart move.
What to Expect After a Dental Crown
After you get a dental crown, you may notice some face swelling the next day. Rest assured this is completely normal and the body’s reaction to surgery and healing. While the swelling will likely go down, it may continue for about 7 to 10 days. You can reduce it by applying ice packs to the cheek area. If you experience any pain or discomfort, an over-the-counter pain medication should help.
Your dentist will encourage you to avoid crunchy, hard, or sticky foods for at least a few days after you’ve had the crown placed. Instead, opt for soft foods as they won’t put any pressure on your crown and wreak havoc on them. Soft foods will also give your gums a much needed rest. Our Midlothian VA dentist friends at River Run Dental Spa always encourage soft foods to ease the stress on gums after a dental crown.
Speaking of your gums, your dentist will also tell you to soak your gums in a mixture of warm salt water. This strategy can clean and disinfect them while healing any open wound you may have from the procedure.
Schedule Your Appointment at Mile High Smiles
If you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our Lakewood, Colorado office today. We can be reached at 303-232-1830 and look forward to hearing from you!
