Restorative dental work is used to repair damage or decay that has occurred to teeth. Whether you have had a dental implant, a root canal treatment, or a crown, maintaining your restoration is key to its longevity. Here are some top tips on keeping your restorative dental work in good condition.
Effective Oral Hygiene
One of the best ways to maintain restorative dental work is to ensure you keep up with an effective oral hygiene routine. This will help prevent food particles and bacteria from building up on your teeth and around any dental work that you have had done. Make sure that you use fluoride toothpaste and brush your teeth twice per day, as well as regular flossing to remove food and plaque from between teeth.
Another thing to consider when brushing your teeth is that you are using the right softness of brush for your needs. Aggressive brushing, or a toothbrush that is too hard, may cause problems with your dental work as well as erosion to your tooth enamel.
Take Care with Hard Foods
While you should not limit your diet of nutritious foods, it is a good idea to take extra care when eating foods that are hard as they could damage or dislodge your dental work. Hard or crunchy foods are best cut up into small pieces, rather than taking a large bite.
Limit Sugar Intake
To keep good oral health and maximize the longevity of dental work, make sure that you do not consume food or beverages that are high in sugar. Sugar increases the formation of plaque on teeth and is a leading cause of tooth decay. To protect both your teeth and your dental work, avoid prolonged contact of sugar on tooth enamel. If you do consume a sugary treat, rinse your mouth with water immediately after eating and always keep up with your oral hygiene.
Avoid Staining
Tea, coffee, red wine, as well as the use of tobacco, are all known to stain the teeth. Unfortunately, they are also likely to stain dental work such as crowns and veneers. While it is perhaps unfair to completely avoid tea and coffee, try to not drink in excess and make sure you clean your teeth at intervals throughout the day to keep on top of discoloration. Something as simple as having a few sips of water after your coffee or tea can go a long way.
Seek Prompt Treatment for Problems
If you notice that your dental work is damaged or worn, for example, a loose crown, it is important to see your dentist quickly. Damaged dental work can leave a tooth vulnerable to decay, which may cause more problems down the line. Your dentist will be able to address the problem and help you to avoid further issues.
Keep Up with Dental Appointments
To keep dental work in good condition, always make sure that you attend your regular check-ups and hygienist visits. By doing so, your dentist will be able to monitor your teeth and spot any potential problems before they arise.
Further Advice on Dental Care
If you are looking for ways to maintain your dental health, our dental team in Maple Ridge is here to answer your questions. Whether you have old dental work that is past its best or want to know how to maintain new dental work, there are many ways in which we can help. Contact us today.