4 Things to Do After Getting a Dental Crown

Dental crowns are small caps that are shaped like teeth. They cover the entire visible part of a tooth and can be used to repair damage or areas of decay, cover up discoloration, or reshape teeth. After you have a dental crown placed, your dentist will give you instructions on what to do to ensure that your recovery goes smoothly. Even so, continue reading to learn about four things that you should do after getting a dental crown placed.

#1: Manage Numbness from Anesthetic

Before having a dental crown placed, you will likely be administered a local anesthetic. This will numb the area to prevent you from feeling any pain or discomfort during the procedure. The anesthetic will probably result in numbness 4 several hours after your appointment. Be cautious during this time and avoid hot liquids or eating hard foods since being unable to feel heat or pain may lead to you accidentally burning yourself or biting your tongue.

Additionally, take note of any inflammation or bruising near the injection site, especially in your lower jaw. While this should go away on its own within a few days of the procedure, speak with your dentist if these issues persist any longer than that or worsen.

#2: Treat Post-Procedure Discomfort

After the dental anesthetic wears off, most people experience some pain in the area where the crown was placed. This shouldn’t cause any issues and any soreness you experience should improve after a few days or weeks. You should also expect to experience some sensitivity in the gums surrounding the crown. Over-the-counter pain medicines like Tylenol or Advil should help you manage the pain so that recovery is more comfortable. Additionally, anesthetic gel should help relieve sensitivity. This can be purchased at pharmacies.

#3: Maintain a Good Diet

Maintaining a good diet and avoiding potentially harmful foods is key to proper recovery after getting a dental crown. Though you should be able to eat foods normally after the numbing effects wear off, it’s still best to avoid eating sticky foods for the first 24 hours after the procedure. This will allow the crown to properly cement to the affected tooth without being pulled away. Additionally, though hard and chewy foods should be avoided at first, you can gradually start reintroducing them into your diet.

#4: Practice Good Oral Care

Along with keeping up a healthy diet, you also need to make sure to practice good oral hygiene to ensure that you heal properly after getting a dental crown placed. This means brushing your teeth twice per day and flossing every night. Since the tooth and the area around it will likely be sensitive after the treatment, brush and floss carefully to avoid additional sensitivity.

About the Practice

Marble Dental McKinney treats patients with the care they need to keep their smiles in good condition. Led by Dr. Zack Hegazin and Dr. Muna Koro, they offer a variety of treatments, including dental crowns to repair damaged smiles and make them look as good as new. If you want to make an appointment with Marble Dental McKinney or to learn more about what to do after getting a dental crown, call their office at (214) 592-0441 or visit their website.