Care for Your Same Day Dental Crown After Placement

Getting a same-day crown is exciting. You walk in with a broken or damaged tooth and walk out with a brand-new smile. But after the dentist finishes, your job starts. Taking care of your crown at home is just as important as getting it placed. So, keep reading to learn about aftercare for same day crowns.

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Immediate Aftercare for Same Day Crowns

The first few hours after your same day dental crowns in Avondale, AZ, appointment matters a lot. Your tooth, gum, and mouth are all adjusting. Be gentle with yourself and your crown. Here’s how:

Wait to Chew Until Numbness Wears Off

Always wait until the numb feeling goes away before eating anything. This might take two or three hours. Until then, sip water or have something soft and cold like yogurt or applesauce if you’re hungry. Your crown needs a calm start.

Be Aware of Anesthesia Effects

Anesthesia can hang around longer than you’d expect. So don’t eat hot food or drink hot coffee during this time since you won’t feel the burn until it’s too late. Let your body wake up fully before putting it back to work.

Sleep Carefully on a New Crown

We don’t often think about how we sleep, but it makes a difference. On the first night, try not to lay on the side of your new crown. Use an extra pillow if it helps keep your head up. That gentle lift keeps pressure away from the crown and helps with swelling. It’s a small habit, but it helps with aftercare for same day crowns more than you’d expect.

Avoid Hot Foods and Drinks

Your new crown is tough, but your mouth is still figuring things out. Having hot soup, tea, or pizza is not a great idea. Your tooth might be sensitive for a little while. Go with cooler or room-temperature foods for the first day. Let your crown get used to its new home.

Use a Saltwater Rinse to Soothe Gums

If your gums are a little sore after all the work, aftercare for same day crowns recommends warm saltwater. Mix half a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water. Swish it gently for about 30 seconds, then spit it out. Do this a couple of times a day. It helps your mouth feel better and keeps things clean.

Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers as Needed

If your tooth or jaw feels sore, go ahead and take ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Follow the label, and don’t overdo it. The pain usually fades quickly, but pain relief can help you relax and eat easier. This is a normal part of aftercare for same day crowns since your body just needs a little time.

Aftercare for Same Day Crowns after Days and Weeks

Once your mouth settles down, your CEREC crown, becomes part of your everyday life. That’s when you want to be extra kind to it:

Avoid Sticky, Hard, or Chewy Foods

Sticky foods like gum and caramel can pull at your crown. Hard foods like popcorn or nuts can crack it if you’re not careful. Even chewy bagels can be tricky. Keep it simple for the first week or so. Soft, easy-to-chew foods are your best friends. Once you’re healed, you can slowly go back to your normal favorites.

Resume Normal Oral Hygiene Gently

Brush and floss like usual, but be gentle. Don’t scrub too hard near the crown. Use a soft toothbrush and angle your floss gently around the edges. You’re not going to hurt the crown, but your gums may still be a little tender.

Expect Some Sensitivity

Heat and coldness might bother you a bit for a few days. That doesn’t mean something is wrong. Your tooth just went through a big day. Give it time. Most people feel normal within a week. If it gets worse, that’s when you call the dentist.

Use Desensitizing Toothpaste if Needed

If your crown stays sensitive longer than you like, switch to toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. These help calm the nerves inside the tooth. Use it morning and night. It won’t fix everything overnight, but it does help over time. That’s part of smart aftercare for same day crowns.

Monitor Your Bite for Any Unevenness

After a few days, your bite should feel normal. If one tooth feels like it’s hitting before the others, or your bite feels off, the crown might need a small adjustment. Sometimes, the tiniest bit of extra material makes a big difference. Call the dentist. They’ll fix it in just a few minutes.

Avoid Smoking and Tobacco Products

Smoking can slow down healing and stain your crown. If you can, take this as your reason to cut back or quit. Your crown will look better longer, and your mouth will stay healthier. Smoking affects more than just your teeth, but your new crown is a good place to start making changes.

Limit Consumption of Staining Foods and Beverages

Your crown won’t stain as fast as your real teeth, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe from dark foods. Coffee, tea, red wine, and berries can still cause discoloration over time. Rinse your mouth with water after you eat or drink these. The best dentists in Avondale, AZ, say that this method can help keep your smile bright.

Smile Transformation in Desert Lake Dental

Long-Term Aftercare for Same Day Crowns

Once you’re past the early days, it’s all about keeping your tooth crown in great shape. Here are some long-term aftercare for same day crowns to help you:

Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene

Brush twice a day and floss once a day. No skipping. Your crown won’t decay, but the tooth underneath still can. If you let plaque build-up, your gums might get inflamed, or the edge of the crown could loosen. Think of floss as the crown’s personal bodyguard.

Avoid Using Teeth as Tools

Stop ripping open a snack bag or biting off a clothing tag with your teeth. Don’t. It’s one of the fastest ways to break your crown. Use scissors. Your teeth are for chewing food, not doing chores.

Schedule Regular Dental Check-Ups

Even a great crown needs check-ups. Visit your dentist every six months. They’ll make sure your crown is staying put, and your gums are healthy. If anything looks off, they’ll catch it early. That’s a big part of aftercare for same day crowns.

Use Alcohol-Free Mouthwash

Some mouthwashes dry out your mouth, especially ones with alcohol. A dry mouth leads to more bacteria, and that can cause problems around your crown. Choose one that’s gentle and free from alcohol. Use it once a day to keep your mouth clean and fresh.

Be Cautious with Hard or Crunchy Foods

Crowns are strong, but they’re not indestructible. Biting into ice or very hard foods the wrong way can cause cracks. If you’re eating something crunchy, break it into smaller bites and chew slowly. No one wants to come back for a repair visit sooner than needed.

Avoid Sugary and Acidic Drinks

Sodas and sports drinks can slowly break down the cement that holds your crown in place. They also feed the bacteria in your mouth. Water is the best choice, but if you do have something sugary, rinse with water afterward. It’s a small step that protects your crown and your real teeth.

Should You Wear a Mouthguard at Night after Getting Same-Day Crowns?

Yes, wearing the best mouthguard for teeth grinding is one of the best tips for aftercare for same day crowns. Grinding puts huge pressure on your teeth. Over time, it can wear down or even crack the crown. A night guard made by your dentist fits perfectly and helps your teeth relax while you sleep. If you’re not sure whether you grind your teeth, ask your dentist at your next visit.