Do you have a restoration? Are you caring for it correctly? Many people do not consider their restoration to be a ‘real’ tooth anymore and can get complement about caring for the area around their filling or crown. Here is some information about some of the most common restorations and how to are for them.
Fillings
If you’ve had an amalgam or tooth coloured filling, it’s quite easy to forget that it’s even there. Filled teeth are indeed strong teeth but the size of the cavity can affect its strength – larger cavities will need naturally deeper fillings and perhaps not be as strong as where a smaller filling has been used. Fillings will enable you to consume most foods, but in the cases of some particularly hard foods, it can help to avoid biting down.
You can care for your filling in the same way you would your natural teeth. Minute gaps can appear between your filling and the adjacent natural tooth and this is a perfect housing ground for bacteria which can cause a build-up of plaque and tartar. Effective brushing with the correct technique will help avoid this problem as will regular check-ups with your hygienist and dentist, the former of which can show you the best brushing techniques
Crowns
Crowns are used to repair a cracked, discoloured, chipped or decayed tooth, offering aesthetic and function. Crowns cannot decay but as they are attached to your natural tooth with an adhesive so it’s important to brush and floss around the crown and the teeth that sit either side as well as the tooth underneath, taking particular care to remove bacteria below the gum line. The crown may even break away from the tooth if it becomes too decayed.
Root canals
A big part of the above aftercare for crowns and fillings can also be applied to a root canal which is normally completed using a crown. Note to take care when biting down as root canal have low sensitivity and therefore it’s easy to bite down harder than intended. A root canal is strong enough for daily use but will still be slightly weaker than your natural teeth so take care to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on it.
If you would like to arrange a check-up here at Cliftonville, please do not hesitate to contact us.