Dental Crown Care: What to Expect After Your Initial Treatment

Are you getting a dental crown near Coatesville? The procedure itself is minimally invasive, and a local anesthetic will secure your comfort while your dentist works; basically, there’s not much to worry about there!

There are some tips you should keep in mind, though, for after your treatment! Once you return home, it’s up to you to care for your new restoration. Keep reading so you’ll be ready to promote a smooth dental crown recovery.

Mind the Numbness

It might be some time before the local anesthetic completely wears off. In other words, your mouth could very well still be numb by the time you’re able to relax on your couch! To avoid unknowingly burning or biting yourself, be sure to eat slowly and carefully, and stick to foods and beverages you know will be lukewarm at most.

Watch What You Eat

After your first dental crown procedure, the restoration you’ll walk away with isn’t permanent. You’ll actually have to wait a week or two for the dental lab to finish fabricating your custom crown. In the meantime, your affected tooth still needs protection, so your dentist will supply you with a temporary crown.

These short-term restorations aren’t quite as sturdy as your final crown will be. It’s best to avoid excessively sticky or hard foods, otherwise the temporary crown could come loose or break.

Normal Pain Vs. Abnormal Pain

You can expect to experience some discomfort after your dental crown treatment. Your mouth will likely be sore, and you might also notice bruising, inflammation, or increased sensitivity. All of this is considered normal, and over-the-counter pain relivers and a good ‘ol cold compress should help alleviate your symptoms.

However, if your pain becomes severe or is persistent, that’s less normal. In this situation, you should contact your dentist for an emergency appointment as soon as possible!

Brushing and Flossing

It might not be fun to brush or floss your teeth while you’re still recovering, but good oral hygiene is essential. Harmful oral bacteria or food particles can lead to infection, tooth decay, or gum disease, which can negatively affect your crowned tooth. If the damage is severe, you might even have to have another crown treatment for a re-fitted restoration!

To help your mouth stay happy and healthy during dental crown aftercare, gently brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once per day.

Confirm with Your Dentist

Every patient’s smile is different, so your dentist might have aftercare instructions specific to your situation. It’s a good idea to take notes when you talk with them about the details of your treatment, or better yet, ask them for a copy of their instructions.

If you do forget what you’re supposed to do during dental crown recovery, don’t worry! It happens to the best, and your friendly dentist won’t mind giving you a review. Don’t hesitate to contact them whenever you’re concerned or confused about your oral health.

About the Practice

At Chester County Dental Arts, we have two wonderful general dentists on staff, as well as an outstanding orthodontist. Each of them are committed to providing patients with the best care possible, and are sincerely invested in their oral health. That’s why if you need more information about dental crown recovery, they’ll be happy to provide advice without judgement! To contact our office, call 610-383-1600.