If you’re “of a certain age,” then chances are you have older fillings and crowns. While it’s true that nothing lasts forever – including dental restorations – there are some steps you can take to protect your older fillings and crowns for as long as possible. Here are a few tips to do just that:
- Be careful what you eat. Avoid foods that could damage your dental work. This includes chewing anything too hard, like ice and hard candy, for example. But there are other foods that also pose a threat, although maybe not such an obvious one. These include popcorn kernels, nuts, and even some brands of granola cereal and trail mix. Stay away from anything too chewy as well, since candy and other forms of sticky or chewy food can damage older restorations.
- Wear a mouth guard. This is especially important if you are active in sports or engage in any type of physical activity that might result in injury to your mouth. Even bicycling might put you at higher risk of damaging your teeth (and your older restorations), so it’s a good idea to utilize a mouth guard just in case. These appliances are also helpful if you grind your teeth at night, which can wear down teeth and put extra stress on your fillings and crowns. Mouth guards come in two varieties, generally speaking: a one-size-fits-all generic type, and custom-made appliances created by your dentist.
- Keep up with your daily oral hygiene routine. The last thing you need is decay forming around or under existing dental work. So it’s important to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
At home, that means brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. You might also consider using an anti-bacterial mouthwash to remove bacteria that can lead to gum disease, and if you really want to give your dental work and your gums an added measure of protection, invest in a water flossing device and use it nightly. Of course, no at-home routine can ensure good oral health without regular visits to your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and oral exams.
Eventually, chances are that you will need to have your older fillings and crowns replaced. But the good news is that by following these few simple tips, you might be able to delay that process for a while longer. Talk to your dentist about the condition of your existing dental restorations to find out more.
