Prolonging the Life of Dental Crowns: What Foods and Drinks to Avoid By Dr. Nathaniel Podilsky on October 31, 2018

Two porcelain crowns Dental crowns are an effective treatment for restoring the health and appearance of damaged teeth. They can prevent the need for dental extraction.

With proper care, dental crowns can last well over 10 years. Of course, practicing good oral hygiene habits is key to prolonging the lifespan of dental crowns, but many patients are surprised to learn that the foods they eat and drink can also impact the lifespan of their crowns.

Dr. Nathaniel Podilsky explains which foods and drinks to avoid with crowns during consultations at his Edmonton, AB practice. To learn more, we invite you to schedule a consultation.

Why Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks?

Some foods and drinks can damage dental crowns and impact the health of underlying teeth. Avoiding problem foods can reduce the risk of damage to dental crowns, prolong their lifespan, and protect oral health.

Most foods are completely safe to eat with a dental crown, but others can cause a crown to become loose, break, or come off of the tooth.

A loose dental crown is dangerous to oral health because it can allow plaque, bacteria, and food remnants to become lodged between the crown and tooth, putting the tooth at a greater risk of decay. A broken crown can also allow plaque and bacteria to reach the underlying tooth and lead to tooth decay.

If a crown were to come off completely, the underlying tooth would be at risk of further damage.

Let's take a look at some foods and drinks you should avoid after dental crown treatment.

Sticky Foods

Sticky foods are one of the biggest threats to the lifespan of dental crowns. Sticky foods can make the teeth adhere together, much like a glue, and pull on dental crowns. When a dental crown gets pulled, it can become loose or get pulled off the tooth completely.

Some sticky foods to avoid include:

Gummy candies
Caramel
Taffy
Chewing gum

Hard Foods

Hard foods also pose a risk to dental crowns. Hard foods place a great deal of pressure on the teeth and, although crowns are very durable, regularly chewing hard foods on a crown can cause the crown to become dislodged or break over time.

Here are some hard foods to avoid after dental crown treatment:

Nuts
Hard raw vegetables, such as carrots
Hard fruits, such as apples
Hard candies
Biting on ice

Sugary Foods and Drinks

Sugary foods and drinks are bad for dental health and should be avoided whether a person has dental crowns or not. Foods and drinks with high sugar levels can leave sugar behind on the teeth, along the gum line, and the area where the crown ends at the bottom of the tooth.

Sugar collecting at the base of a dental crown is a concern because the bacteria in plaque thrive on sugar. This increases plaque buildup, which in turn increases the risk and speed of tooth decay.

Avoiding sugary foods and drinks can help reduce the risk of tooth decay. Some foods and drinks to avoid include:

Candies
Cakes and other sweet pastries
Sodas and other soft drinks
Sweetened fruit juices

Acidic Foods and Drinks

Like sugary foods and drinks, things that are high in acidic levels can also be dangerous to oral health and teeth treated with dental crowns.

Regular exposure to acidic foods and drinks can erode the protective enamel layer of the teeth. Although dental crowns cover the surface of damaged teeth, areas may be slightly exposed at and below the gum line. If acid comes into contact with exposed areas of the natural tooth, it can erode the outer layer of the tooth and lead to decay.

If you must eat or drink acidic foods, swishing water within the mouth can help neutralize acid and reduce the risk of erosion. Some foods and drinks to avoid include: