The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to home care for a temporary crown is keeping the crown on your tooth until the permanent crown is ready.  Sometimes these crowns come off for various reasons.  It is essential to do everything possible to reseat the crown yourself if it happens, but also please be aware that you should not force the crown at the risk of damaging the tooth.  Some dentists recommend using a drop of Vaseline to help fit it back in place.

Regardless, we ask all of our patients to call us if and when this happens and schedule an emergency appointment to have the crown reseated in our office.  This needs to be done as soon as possible to preserve the shape of the tooth and maintain its health.  Prior to your temporary crown being placed, we had to shape it to accommodate a dental crown, and we had to remove all decay.  If the tooth becomes infected or chipped, the impressions we took of your mouth will no longer be accurate and we will have to start all over again. 

In most cases, though, the temporary crown does not come off.  It is important to follow basic home care strategies to maintain the health of the tooth and surrounding gum tissues.  Many people think that the crown is so delicate they cannot brush and floss their teeth.  This is not the case.  Basic hygiene should be followed according to the following recommendations for home care for temporary crowns:

1.       If anesthetic was applied during your appointment, please avoid chewing anything until the numbness goes away. 

2.       If there was no anesthetic, please wait at least one-half hour to give dental cement an opportunity to harden and set.

3.       Go ahead and brush and floss your teeth as directed, but be gentle.  

4.       If the tooth is sensitivity to hot or cold, use desensitizing toothpaste.  If this does not alleviate the sensitivity in a few days, call your dentist.

5.       If we prescribed antibiotics, please take them exactly as directed.

6.       If we do not prescribe antibiotics, but want something for the pain, it is normally ok to take over the counter pain medication so long as your dentist agrees per your medical history.

7.       It is also wise to rinse out your mouth three times each day with warm salt water.  We recommend using approximately one teaspoon of salt for every glass of water. 

8.       It is normal for gums to be sore a few days after the placement of a temporary crown.  However, if this soreness persists, call us and share your concerns with us. 

9.       Avoid chewing grainy bread or tough steak that can leave fibers between your teeth.

10.   Ask your dentist about using alcohol free antibacterial mouth rinse if you have experienced frequent gum infections in the past or were ever treated for Periodontitis.

11.   Avoid eating curry because it will stain the temporary crown.

12.   If you smoke, as hard as it may seem, try to avoid it, or at least seriously cut down.

You will feel very good about practicing consistent homecare for your temporary crown when we remove it and replace it with your new, permanent crown.