A tooth that has suffered extensive damage from decay or trauma can be fortified with a dental crown. These singe-tooth restorations are placed over a compromised tooth, giving it much-needed strength.

The team at Signature Smiles can place porcelain dental crowns at our Woodinville, WA practice to restore your oral health. Find out how to get the most out of your restoration by learning about which foods and drinks to avoid with crowns.

The Average Lifespan of a Porcelain Crown

Dental crowns usually last about a decade. With proper care, some patients can enjoy a functioning crown for as long as 25 years.

Fortunately, caring for your dental crown is easy. Brush and floss as you normally would, see your dentist regularly, and avoid certain foods and drinks as outlined below.

Foods to Avoid with Temporary Crowns

Most patients will have a temporary dental crown to wear for about two weeks while they wait for their permanent crown to be fabricated.

Since a temporary crown is made from different materials and not attached in the same manner as a permanent crown, it is more prone to being damaged or dislodged.

While wearing your temporary crown, you are advised to avoid the following foods:

• Hard foods, like apples and ice
• Chewy foods, like candies and steak
• Crunchy foods, like seeds, nuts, or pretzels
• Breads with hard crusts

Foods to Avoid with Permanent Crowns

While your permanent dental crown is designed to be durable, it is a good idea to limit the following:

• Hard foods like hard candies can chip the porcelain
• Chewing on ice can chip or break porcelain, as well as natural enamel
• Biting on non-food items like fingernails, or using your teeth to open objects, can damage your crown

Enjoying a Bright Smile

Although your crown is made from dental-grade porcelain that is resistant to staining, a porcelain crown can take on a slightly different color at the edges over time. This is usually due to eating or drinking dark-colored foods and drinks.

Alternatively, the shade of your natural enamel can change based on what you eat and drink. In these cases, your natural teeth may become a darker or yellowed shade compared to the crown.

A good way to avoid crown and tooth discoloration is by minimizing how frequently you drink dark-colored drinks, such as tea, coffee, and red wine. Foods that can cause stains include tomato sauce, berries, and soy sauce.

When you do consume these foods and drinks, brush your teeth right away to remove the stain-causing particles from the surfaces of your teeth. You can also try drinking dark beverages through a straw to reduce contact with the teeth.

Learn More about the Protecting Your Dental Crowns

Porcelain dental crowns can rejuvenate your oral health and the appearance of your smile. Learn more about protecting your crown by giving us a call today at (425) 489-1177. You can also fill out our online form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.