How Should I Care for a New Crown?

What You'll Learn

If your crown was placed with permanent cement, it is fully set within a few hours. Avoid very sticky or hard foods for the first 24 hours while the cement fully cures. Some sensitivity to temperature and pressure is normal for the first few days to weeks as the tooth settles. If you received a temporary crown while your permanent one is being made, be especially careful — avoid sticky foods like caramel or gum, and chew on the opposite side when possible. Temporary crowns are held in place with weaker cement and can come off more easily.

Brush your crown twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, just as you would a natural tooth. The crown itself cannot decay, but the tooth structure underneath and at the margin can. Floss around your crown every day — this is the most important step in preventing decay at the crown margin. Use a gentle back-and-forth motion rather than snapping the floss, which can dislodge the crown. Water flossers are a helpful addition but should not replace regular flossing.

Avoid chewing ice, hard candies, popcorn kernels, and other very hard foods — these can crack or chip even a strong crown. Sticky foods like caramel, taffy, and chewing gum can pull at the crown and weaken the cement over time. If you grind or clench your teeth, ask your dentist about a custom night guard. Grinding is one of the leading causes of premature crown failure. Avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages or bottles.

Flossing around a crown is the same as flossing around a natural tooth, with one small difference: slide the floss out from the side rather than snapping it upward when you are done. Snapping the floss upward can catch on the crown margin and potentially loosen it over time. Floss threaders or interdental brushes can be helpful if you find it difficult to get floss between a crown and the adjacent tooth.