What Happens if a Cavity Develops under a Dental Crown?
Maintaining optimal dental hygiene requires following a routine, but sometimes you may get tooth decay anyway. It’s not only brushing and flossing that affect oral hygiene, but also what you eat and drink, and how often you visit the dentist.
A dental crown protects a damaged, vulnerable tooth. Oftentimes a crown is necessary when a tooth is badly damaged by decay. If you are about to get a crown or already have one, you may be concerned about the long-term health of the tooth. You may wonder, “can it continue to decay?” Fortunately, crowns are highly durable, effective tooth restorations. It cannot decay but natural enamel below certainly can.
How Tooth Decay May Form Around Your Crown
Tooth decay may affect the margin of tooth enamel between the crown and the gum line. Any area covered directly by the restoration is protected; however, the decay could advance up the tooth, to an area “below” the dental crown.
You should continue to care and clean the restored tooth just as you do your other teeth. Doing so will prevent cavities and other problems.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
Preventing tooth decay in the first place is a great way to avoid problems involving cavities and your crown. Here are several ways to do so:
- Visit the dentist for routine checkups. During these visits our dentists check for signs of decay and any other oral health problems. They will review x-rays taken of your teeth once a year, and will check visually for signs of decay between x-ray appointments.
- Visit the dentist for routine cleanings. The dental hygienists at our practice clean and polish your teeth at your bi-annual visits. These professional cleanings reduce plaque and tartar that accumulates on your teeth and gums.
- Brush 2–3 times per day. Brushing your teeth combats plaque and the cavity-causing bacteria it contains. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush in gentle motions on the inner, outer and biting surfaces of your teeth. Brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums to reach the plaque harbored along the gum line.
- Floss once every day. Flossing removes plaque and food debris caught between your teeth. Curve the floss all the way to the base of the tooth to get to debris stuck below the gum line. Use a clean section of floss for each side of each tooth. Don’t forget to floss around the farthest side of your back molars.
- Drink water. Plain water is free of added sweeteners, which contribute to tooth decay. For that reason, water is a good substitute for sweet drinks. Water also rinses away food debris on your teeth, so it has a dual benefit.
- Limit soda, fruit juice and other sweetened beverages. Even the naturally occurring sugar in fruit juice contributes to cavities. The bacteria in plaque thrive on sugar and starch, and they produce an acid as they process it. This acid eats away at tooth enamel, forming a cavity. Help prevent cavities by limiting your enjoyment of sweet beverages. You can also swish and rinse with plain water after drinking a soda or juice to prevent the liquid from sitting on your teeth.
- Limit snacking between meals. Bacteria launch acid attacks on your teeth every time you eat. This is normal and it’s the reason we brush and floss — to combat their activity. For some of us, it’s easy to snack throughout the day; however, you can limit the acid attacks on your teeth by consolidating meals. Have a snack if you’re hungry, of course, but consider healthy snacks that are less likely to lead to cavities (examples include raw carrots, nuts, sliced apples, etc.). Rinse with plain water after your snack.
Dental Crown Care
Brush, floss and follow the other tips listed above to maintain your dental crown. Once cemented in place, the crown melds seamlessly with the tooth. Therefore, a good dental hygiene routine is all that is needed to care for your teeth and crown.
Avoid chewing or biting anything that can break, chip or dislodge your dental crown. Habits like chewing on pens or tearing open packages with your teeth must be avoided. You shouldn’t chew on ice either. These things not only threaten restorations, but also your natural tooth enamel. Exercise caution when biting into firm and chewy foods. It’s a good idea to cut all foods into bite-size pieces. It makes chewing much easier on your teeth.
What To Do If You Are Concerned About Tooth Decay
Contact the dentist if you have any concerns about dental crowns, cavities or any other oral health issue. The only way to know if your symptoms are signaling a problem is to consult experienced, knowledgeable dentists in your area. After discussing your symptoms and any changes you’ve noticed, they will examine your teeth, gums and entire mouth. When it comes to dental problems, early treatment is often more effective and less expensive than letting the problem progress. The dentists at Adler Advanced Dentistry help you get back on track.
