How to Protect Your Teeth

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How to Protect Your Teeth

My kids are involved in several different sports, including some that are known for being a bit rough, like hockey and football. I worry about them being injured, but I don’t want to curb their athletic spirit. So I take steps to make certain that they’re as protected as possible. That means protecting their teeth, too. My children’s dentist told me that the best way to protect their teeth was to use custom mouth guards that would keep their teeth safe even in the event of a blow to the mouth. I started this blog to talk about different ways to protect teeth – from mouth guards and dental devices you wear while you sleep, to plain old brushing and flossing. There are many ways to protect your teeth depending on your needs. Find out which one is right for you.

3 Signs You Need to Replace Your Dental Crown

If you've ever had a crown placed on your tooth, you know how much effort and money go into the procedure. This means you want to preserve your tooth crown as much as possible, especially for the first few years. The average tooth crown can last up to 15 years, and you can help yours last even longer by being able to recognize the signs that a crown needs to be replaced. This allows you to avoid wear and damage that can result in crown replacement, which can in turn help you keep your aging crown even longer. Here are three common signs that your crown needs to be replaced on your tooth.

You grind your teeth

If you grind your teeth in your sleep or tend to grit your teeth when stressed or anxious, then you may be putting your crown at risk. The constant pressure and abrasion of grinding or gritting your teeth eventually wears down the synthetic material in your mouth, leading to holes and breakage. Talk to your dentist about getting a mouth guard to protect your teeth against grinding, and try to distract yourself from gritting your teeth during awake hours.

Your tooth-crown area hurts

The area surrounding the spot where you got your dental crown should be pain free all of the time unless there is something wrong with the tooth or the dental work that was done. If you have a dental crown that is 5 years older or more, then your aging crown may be cracked or have a hole in it, exposing the fragile tooth underneath to decay and bacteria (hence the pain). If you notice swelling or sharp pain around the tooth, see your dentist to see whether your crown is to blame, and try to avoid chewing hard foods or drinking sugary beverages to help protect the area until you get dental care.

Your crown is old

The older your tooth crown, the more likely it will need to be replaced simply due to natural wear and tear. Replacement of crowns older than 5 years of age are often covered by insurance, so you can get them replaced more easily. To see whether age-related crown issues are something you should worry about, make sure you see your dentist regularly so they can inspect all dental work and make sure your teeth are healthy overall.

You want your tooth crown to remain in good condition for as long as possible. Pain,age, and other issues can be signs that your crown is failing and that you need to see your dentist right away.

See a professional such as Webster John B DDS for more information. 


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