You've just had your new porcelain crown fitted, and it looks and feels great. The next step is to keep it and the area around it as clean as possible. If you don't pay special attention to this area, your gums may recede and tooth decay may happen below the base of the crown. However, there's no reason to worry because taking care of your crown isn't a whole lot different than taking care of your regular teeth. Here is a list of "dos" to keep your porcelain crown in good shape.

Do: Use a regular toothbrush and toothpaste, but make sure the bristles are soft and don't brush too hard or you could cause your gums to recede. If you only have one or two crowns, then there's no reason to use anything special just for them.

Do: Continue to floss as normal, except pay extra attention to the base of your crown and make sure you use the proper technique. Don't be overly aggressive with the floss. Try using a softer floss if possible. Use proxy-brushes to make sure you get as much food from between your teeth as possible.

Do: Eat most of foods your normally eat, except follow the dentist's instructions as to what you shouldn't eat until the crown has firmly settled. That early settling-in time is very important if you want your crown to last. Following instructions will not only keep it adhered to your tooth but also keep it straight.

Do: Continue with your regular dentist appointments and cleanings. You want to make sure that your teeth and gums stay in perfect condition and that there's no problem with your crown. Notify your dentist if your crown feels strange or loose after the normal settling-in time. Your dentist and dental hygienist may give you advice about any additional special cleaning issues and tools.

There are a few things that you can't or shouldn't do, but it's a short list. The main thing you should not do is eat ice or extremely hot food, as the heat or cold has an impact on the structure of the porcelain. You should also avoid sticky foods such as caramel or hard candies which can ruin all your teeth. Other than that, having a crown shouldn't impact your life much provided that you followed your dentist's advice.

If you're ready to fix that decaying or chipped tooth with a crown, then click for more information and contact a dentist who has experience with this procedure. 

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