We all know that regular brushing and flossing are most effective in keeping our gums and teeth healthy. But did you know that it is even more essential to keep dental prostheses like crowns, bridges, and dentures clean? So, whether it’s natural, restored, or artificial teeth, ensuring optimal cleaning is necessary to ensure their long clinical life and survival. This article discusses why it is important to ensure optimal teeth cleaning is restored with dental crowns and other prostheses. Continue reading to find out more.

Can You Put A Crown On A Decayed Tooth?

A dental crown is a cap-shaped structure that rests on damaged natural teeth and restores their aesthetics, structure, and function. If you have a grossly damaged tooth, your dentist may reinforce it with a porcelain or composite crown. However, dental crowns cannot be directly placed over decayed teeth. First, your dentist will remove the decayed tooth structure and replace it with a suitable filling. Only then can they put a crown over the tooth. 

Can I Get A Cavity Under A Crown?

Although not very common, it is possible to get a cavity under a crown. This type of tooth decay is known as secondary caries or decay. When your dentist places a crown over a tooth, they place an adhesive inside the crown, which fills the space between the tooth and the prosthesis. This adhesive serves two purposes; ensure that the crown remains firmly adherent to the supporting tooth and to fill the space to prevent bacterial growth, which may lead to secondary tooth decay. Secondary teeth cavities can arise either due to improper dimensions of the prosthesis or incomplete sealing by the adhesive cement. 

How Do I Take Care Of My Dental Crown?

Looking after your crowned teeth, even a dental implant is simple as taking care of your natural teeth:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Floss at least once a day.
• Avoid eating hard or sticky foods – they can exert pressure on the crown and result in their dislodgment.

Finally, you should visit your dentist regularly for checkups to ensure the optimal health of your teeth, gums, and dental prostheses. 

Why Does Crowned Tooth Gum Smell?

When healthy, there should be no smell from teeth are restored with dental crowns. However, if the gum tissues surrounding a crowned tissue become inflamed due to plaque deposition and bacterial penetration, the gums appear red and swollen and give off a foul smell. If you feel an unpleasant odour emanating from your gums, don’t take this condition lightly and visit your dentist immediately for treatment without delay.

Is It Possible For A Permanent Dental Crown To “Taste Funny”?

Crowned teeth function just like normal teeth; they don’t have any smell or taste. However, if your crown tastes funny or salty, it may be due to an underlying problem. In most cases, it may be due to the inflammation of the gums, which leads to the release of the highly concentrated gingival fluid. In some cases, it may be due to the blood coming from infected gum tissues. Regardless, such conditions should not be taken lightly, and immediate dental help should be sought.

How Do I Remove Black Lines Around The Crown Of A Tooth?

Black staining of the crowns can occur for various reasons, most commonly due to strong-coloured foods and drinks. Naturally, stained crowns create an aesthetic problem. Unfortunately, stains on dental crowns cannot be removed through professional teeth whitening. If you have stains around your crowns, your dentist will suggest replacing them with fresh ones. 

Can You Floss Around A Crown?

Oral hygiene maintenance for crown-supported teeth is just like natural ones. You should brush and floss normally around the crowned teeth just like you do with the natural ones. In fact, it is even more important to ensure optimal cleaning around the crowns as the crowned teeth are at a higher risk of developing secondary tooth cavities and gum problems. 

What Are The Types Of Teeth Cleaning?

Professional teeth cleaning is one of the most effective methods for the prevention and management of gum disease. When it comes to teeth cleaning, there are two main types. The first type of cleaning simply involves removing the plaque and tartar deposits from the teeth using ultrasonic instruments. This type of cleaning is reserved for mild to moderate periodontal problems. The other type of professional teeth cleaning, also called deep cleaning, involves plaque removal from the teeth and below the gums, followed by polishing the tooth surfaces to prevent future infection. 

Is The Oral Irrigator Helpful To Teeth?

An oral irrigator is an appliance that works like dental floss. The device generates a pressurised stream of water that helps remove plaque and tartar deposits from the teeth. According to the Mayo Clinic, while water irrigators or flossers can remove plaque and tartar deposits from interdental spaces, they cannot be considered a substitute for regular brushing and traditional flossing. 

Why Is Dental Deep Cleaning Necessary?

Deep cleaning is a procedure in which your dentist will use an ultrasonic scaler to remove plaque and tartar deposits from your teeth and below the gumline. Dental experts recommend that everyone should visit their dentist for a checkup at least twice a year. During the routine checkup, if your dentist or dental hygienist finds underlying signs of gum disease, they will recommend professional cleaning. However, in advanced stages, a deep cleaning may be necessary to treat the underlying issue. 

Dental crowns and other prostheses should be looked after just like natural teeth. More importantly, visiting your dentist regularly for checkups ensures that your natural and restored teeth remain healthy and last for a lifetime. If you are in Dublin, and looking for a family dental practice, then Pembroke Dental in Ballsbridge should be your choice. We offer high-quality dental care under one roof in a calm, relaxing, and comfortable environment. So, book a consultation appointment with us today and let us take good care of your family’s oral health.