Can You Use Mouthwash After Getting Dental Crowns?

Jan 01, 2023

What Are Dental Crowns?

They are tooth-shaped oral appliances that restore damaged and diseased teeth. Dental crowns mimic natural teeth so that they can properly replace the enamels when they incur damage.

How Do Dental Crowns Work?

Dental crowns in Phoenix restore teeth by encapsulating the entire exterior. In this sense, they act as dental caps. The beauty of dental crowns is that they serve multiple roles so that they can be useful in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry.

A dental crown also protects the inner layers of teeth, including the dentin. Therefore, you can rely on dental crowns to transform your smile in the following ways:

  1. Repairing fractured teeth
  2. Holding a tooth filling – usually if the size of the filling is too big, risking a weakened tooth structure.
  3. Crowning a dental implant
  4. Strengthening a weak tooth
  5. Modifying teeth shape
  6. Straightening crooked teeth
  7. Protecting a tooth after a root canal therapy
  8. Supporting a bridgework – dental bridges replace missing teeth.
  9. Cosmetic alterations – cosmetic dentists can employ dental crowns as alternatives to veneers.

What Is the Procedure for Dental Crowns?

The process of getting dental crowns begins with numbing. A Phoenix dentist will employ local anesthesia that numbs your mouth, making the treatment pain-free. After numbing, the dentist starts preparing the tooth. Preparation entails trimming the tooth enamel. The goal is to remove all damaged tissue while creating room for a dental crown.

After preparation, the dentist takes impressions of the target tooth. The impressions help create a mold that develops your dental crown. Porcelain crowns are designed in a dental laboratory, taking about two weeks to complete. Therefore, the dentist must discharge you to go home until your crown is ready. Meanwhile, you get a temporary crown that protects your tooth for two weeks.

When your permanent crown is ready, you visit your dentist for the last appointment. The dentist will install the crown through a bonding process. Dental cement causes the crown to adhere to the tooth, while lasers cure the cement to strengthen the bond.

Should You Clean Your Temporary Crown?

One of the most frequently asked questions at On Pointe Dentistry is, ‘can I still brush my teeth with a temporary crown?’ It is a valid concern since the temporary crown is not well secured in your mouth. Our response to the question is yes.

You should definitely be cleaning your teeth even though your crown is temporary. A clean mouth is paramount to avoid excessive inflammation and bleeding when placing the permanent crown. Besides, a clean mouth prevents infection on the treated tooth, which can avoid cavities from developing underneath a crowned tooth.

A precaution for cleaning your mouth after getting temporary crowns is the technique of flossing. While flossing helps keep your oral cavity clean, it risks dislodging the temporary crown. You can either avoid flossing the area or change your flossing technique. Instead of pushing up the dental floss from your teeth, slide it through and pull it out. It is safer to allow your temporary crown to stay intact until your next dental visit.

Should You Use Mouthwash With Temporary Crowns?

In the same way you clean your mouth with the temporary crowns, you can use mouthwash with them. The only precaution is not swishing too vigorously when rinsing out the mouthwash. Excessive abrasion can tamper with the tooth, causing dental pain.

Do the Same Measures Apply to Permanent Crowns?

There is more freedom when dealing with permanent crowns because they are more stable and sturdy. In fact, you can start treating your crowns like the rest of your natural teeth. The extra precaution during flossing can also be lifted, so you resume the normal technique. However, liaise with your dentist for any special instructions regarding crown care, especially about the right products to use.

Other Tips for Good Crown Care

Other than keeping your dental crowns clean, consider the following tips for caring for them:

  1. Avoid staining foods and drinks – usually those with dark pigments like coffee and wine.
  2. Quit smoking and taking alcohol
  3. Manage your oral habits – abandon poor oral habits like biting fingernails.
  4. Wear a mouthguard at night if you grind your teeth.

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