Can I bite hard food with my dental crown?

Dental crowns are used to restore damaged teeth. While dental crowns may be made of tough material, they are also susceptible to damage if not cared for properly. Here are some tips and tricks for you to keep your smile on.

What foods should I avoid for my dental crown?

Nuts 

Nuts usually require a lot of force to bite down on. Steer clear from them!

Crunchy vegetables 

Just like nuts, crunchy vegetables may be bad for a newly crowned tooth. Make sure the vegetables are thoroughly cooked till soft and avoid eating raw vegetables. 

Sticky foods 

Caramel and candy are sticky foods that you must avoid for the good of your crown. Sticky foods can stick to the crown and cause tooth decay or cavities! 

Cold foods 

After getting a new crown, your teeth may be more sensitive to cold foods, causing pain. Hot foods may do the same thing too. Your dentist would recommend a sensitive toothpaste to soothe the nerves if the pain is unbearable. 

Fizzy drinks

Fizzy drinks like coca-cola are bad for your teeth. They are high in sugar and cause enamel erosion and cavities. 

Gum

Gum is a type of sticky food that people like to chew on after a meal to freshen up their breath. Instead of using chewing gum, use a mouthwash to rinse your mouth. Gum may get stuck onto your crown and cause damage to it. 

Raisins 

Raisins are a kind of sticky food that is healthy but still bad for your crown. It could pull the crown off if you’re not careful, so stay away from all dried fruits! 

Popcorn 

Popcorn is a popular snack for movies and television, but it could mean bad news for your new crown, especially if the kernels get wedged between your teeth, causing damage to your crown. 

Ice 

Some people have the habit of chewing ice. This is a big no-no. Ice is too hard for a new crown to handle. Also, the cold from the ice may cause sensitivity too.

Steak 

Steaks can be tough to chew, which could damage your crown. Softer proteins like baked chicken or fish would be a better option.

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How do you care for crowns?

Crowns can last 5 - 15 years if you care for them properly. Following your crown procedure, chew foods with the other side of your mouth first. Once the cement has hardened, you can chew food on both sides. Take extra care to brush and floss your teeth regularly, and make sure you clean the crowned tooth thoroughly. 

Last, of all, visit your dentist for regular checkups every 6 months. Your dentist will clean your teeth and give you the advice to keep your crown and teeth in good shape.  

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Summary

The rule of thumb is to avoid all hard, sticky and cold foods. If you’re not sure, just play it safe, or ask the dentist the next time you visit them. Always follow the advice of your dentist – they are the professionals and will always be there to help you.

References 

1. Lu, Q., & Wang, L. (2020). The reduction of vertical food impact using adjacent surface retaining zirconium crowns preparation technique: a 1-year follow-up prospective clinical study. Annals of Translational Medicine, 8(16), 1019–1019. https://doi.org/10.21037/ATM-20-5582
2. Nagarsekar, A., Gaunkar, R., & Aras, M. (2016). Knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental professionals regarding the effect and management of food impaction associated with fixed partial denture prostheses: A survey. Journal of Indian Prosthodontist Society, 16(4), 372–379. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-4052.191286