How should I care for my dental crown or bridge?

Caring for your dental crown or bridge is quite similar to caring for your natural teeth, with a few extra considerations to ensure your restoration lasts for many years. With proper care, crowns and bridges from our East Grand Rapids, MI, dental office can serve you well for 10–15 years or more.

Proper Care for Your Crown or Bridge

• Daily Hygiene Essentials — Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, paying special attention to the gum line where your crown or bridge meets your natural tooth. For bridges, use a floss threader or water flosser to clean underneath the false tooth portion—this area is crucial for preventing gum disease and bad breath.
• Foods to Approach Carefully — While your crown or bridge is designed to handle normal chewing, avoid using your teeth as tools and be cautious with extremely hard foods like ice, hard candies, or nuts. Sticky foods like caramels can potentially pull off a crown, especially if the cement has begun to weaken over time.
• Warning Signs to Watch For — Contact us immediately if your crown feels loose, if you notice pain when biting down, or if you see any changes in your gum tissue around the restoration. Early intervention can often prevent more complex problems.

Regular checkups allow us to monitor your crown or bridge and catch any issues before they become serious problems.

Questions about caring for your dental work? Call (616) 454-8228 to speak with our team. We proudly serve East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Ada, and the surrounding West Michigan communities.