Essential Dental Hygiene Practices After Dental Procedures

20 Dental Hygiene Articles for Patients with "Dental Works"

Part 1: Articles Focused on Common Dental Procedures

1. The Crown Care Commandments: Keeping Your New Cap Sparkling

A dental crown (or cap) covers your entire tooth, but it still needs diligent cleaning! The most important area is the crown margin—the small space where the bottom edge of the crown meets your gum line. Plaque buildup here can cause decay on the root underneath and lead to gum disease.

Target the Margin: When brushing, angle the bristles of your soft toothbrush at 45 degrees toward the gum line of the crowned tooth. Use small, gentle circles to clean this critical edge thoroughly.

Don't Skip Flossing: Floss must be used daily! Gently slide the floss through the contact point. If you have an implant crown or a crown connected to a bridge, your dentist might recommend a special floss threader or Superfloss (see Article #2).

Chewing Caution: Avoid using crowned teeth to bite down on extremely hard foods (like ice, hard candies, or bone) to prevent chipping the porcelain.