Although crowns can't decay, maintaining good dental hygiene is still important. Taking care of crowns you've gotten at Northern Westchester Prosthodontics is simple, but knowing the best practices helps make sure that they'll last for years to come, saving you money, time, and discomfort in the process. Dr. Terry Lim, your cosmetic dentist in Katonah, New York, offers some tips for his patients with crowns in this post.

Brushing

When you're wearing a crown, the natural tooth is completely covered. This doesn't mean, however, that the crown is a complete barrier from decay. As you know, bacteria are microscopic, which means that it can find its way under a crown and cause a cavity to develop. That's why good brushing habits are so important. Your Katonah dentist recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to carefully brush for two minutes twice a day. Many people with restorations such as crowns find that it's easier and more efficient to use electric toothbrushes to gently scrub and polish the teeth.

Flossing

Healthy gums are vital to your overall dental health. Keeping your gums clean ensures that your teeth and any restorations you have remain stable; advanced gum disease can cause bone loss and loosening of the teeth. However, you may have found that flossing isn't quite as easy now that you have crowns. That's because crowns can slightly narrow the spaces between the teeth. To offset this change, your Katonah dentist suggests flossing with a threader. A threader is a thin, blunt plastic needle-like tool with floss attached to the opposite end; it assists in guiding the floss between the teeth. Water flossers, which are often included with electric toothbrushes, also make the process easier.

As always, visits twice a year to your dentist ensure the longevity of not only your crowns but your natural teeth as well!

For any questions about this post, or to make an appointment with Dr. Lin, contact Northern Westchester Prosthodontics in Katonah at (914) 232-8190.