Foods and Drinks to Avoid with Dental Crowns
Severe tooth decay and fractures require strong restorations to help rebuild damaged tooth structure. That’s where dental crowns are most ideal. Dental crowns are used to cap severely damaged teeth, protecting them from further harm and improving overall function of your smile. Freehold, NJ dentist Dr. Dennis G. Sternberg has helped restore many patient’s teeth thanks to the use of dental crowns.
After you get a dental crown, it’s a good idea to avoid certain foods and beverages to prevent tooth sensitivity or harm to the new crown. Below is a list of food items to avoid until your dentist gives you the go ahead.
Hot and Cold Food Items
Foods that are hot or cold in temperature often trigger bouts of tooth sensitivity. Because of this, it’s a good idea to stick with room temperature food items and drinks for at least a week or so after getting crowns.
Hard Candy
Candy is bad for your teeth in general, but had candies can be especially bad when you have new dental crowns. The pressure from gnawing on a jawbreaker or Lemonhead can damage the crown or cause it to come loose.
Sticky Candy
Toffee, caramel, and Jolly Ranchers have a tendency to stick onto teeth. Not only can these sticky treats pry loose fillings, they can also cause dental crowns to come loose if you aren’t careful.
Chewing Gum
Chewing gum can freshen your breath, but after getting a new crown, the repetitive motion can lead to soreness. Stay away from chewing gum for a week or so. When you can chew gum again, only chew sugar-free gum.
Tough Meats
Whether it’s beef jerky or a steak, tough meats require a lot from your teeth. Tearing and chewing leads to pressure on the teeth, which can lead to soreness. After getting crowns, consider softer meats in your diet first.
Crunchy Vegetables
A carrot or some broccoli might sound great to you right now, but if you have new crowns, these crunchy vegetables can be tricky. Rather than cause soreness or a loose crown, side with softer vegetables at first. Cooking these crunchy vegetables to soften them is also a good idea.
Crispy Fruits
Apples and pears are great snacks, but their crispiness can lead to problems with your dental crowns. That being the case, be sure to have softer fruits for the first week or so after getting crowns placed.
Popcorn
Popcorn without butter can be a nice healthy snack. Unfortunately, the little bits of kernel can get lodged under a new crown, causing discomfort and other possible problems. Stay away from popcorn until your dentist says it’s okay.
Nuts and Seeds
On the note of healthy snacks, nuts and sees are great sources of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. They can lead to discomfort with new crowns, and bits getting lodged in unwanted places. Like popcorn, wait for your dentist’s go ahead before having nuts and seeds again.
Soft Drinks
Sodas and other sugary drinks are bad for you in general. With new crowns, stick with water for hydration. You’ll want to limit intake of sugary beverages for the foreseeable future to help prevent cavities.
Learn More About Dental Crowns
For more information about dental crowns and how they can help you have a healthy smile, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic and restorative dentist. You can each our office by phone at (732) 431-3331.
