Dental crowns and bridges are durable restorations that can greatly improve your chewing power, so you can enjoy many of your favorite foods. However, they’re not indestructible. Certain foods pose a risk of chipping, cracking or ruining a restoration, rendering it useless. The following tips from Dr. Ryan Zhuoran Zhao at Harmony Smile Dental in Sunnyvale, California, can help you take better care of your restorations, so they can serve you well for years.
Foods to Avoid with Crown or Bridge Treatment
Dr. Zhao may recommend crowns for teeth that are weak, decayed or damaged to support their fragile structure and restore their usefulness. A bridge is a dental restoration that replaces missing teeth. Both help restore the function, health and esthetics of your smile. With proper care, these restorations can last for years. You can help extend the lifespan of your crown or bridge by avoiding the following foods:
- Sugary foods – Sugary foods like cookies, candy, soft drinks, pastries, etc. should be avoided as they can cause cavities under your crown or bridge
- Hard foods – Avoid hard foods that could crack or break your crown or bridge, such as hard candies, ice, nuts, etc. If you’re going to eat crunchy fruits and veggies, we recommend cutting them into small pieces first
- Sticky foods – Sticky foods should always be avoided when you have restorations as they can get stuck in your crown or bridge. This includes gum, taffy and caramel. As sticky foods are also quite sweet, they can increase your risk of getting cavities
Chewing on non-food items like pencils, pens or fingernails can damage both natural teeth and restorations. If you have these bad habits, they should be broken quickly to preserve your teeth and protect your smile. You should also never use your teeth like tools, with or without restorations.
Crowns and Bridge Treatment Near Me
To find out more about crowns and bridges and how they’re used, call (408) 738-1000 to talk to Dr. Ryan Zhuoran Zhao in Sunnyvale, CA. We’re here to meet all your restorative dental care needs.
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