Dental restorations like crowns, fillings, and bridges represent a meaningful investment in your oral health and smile. These treatments repair damaged teeth and restore function, but they won’t last forever without proper care. Simple daily habits and preventive measures can add years to your restorations, helping you avoid premature replacements and additional dental expenses.
At Smiles for Life Family Dentistry in Las Vegas, Nevada, we help patients protect their restorative dentistry treatments through personalized care strategies. Our team emphasizes practical, effective maintenance techniques that fit seamlessly into your routine, so your restorations can serve you well for many years to come.
Essential Strategies to Maximize Your Dental Restoration Longevity
Protecting your dental restorations doesn’t require drastic lifestyle changes. Instead, focus on consistent daily care combined with smart choices about what you eat and how you use your teeth. The following five strategies form a comprehensive approach to restoration maintenance, each addressing a specific threat to your dental work.
By implementing these practices, you’ll significantly reduce the risk of premature restoration failure. Most dental restorations can last 10 to 15 years or longer with proper care, giving you excellent value for your investment in oral health.
1. Maintain Thorough Daily Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once a day form the foundation of restoration care. These simple habits prevent plaque buildup around crowns, fillings, and bridges, which can lead to decay at the margins of these restorations.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to gently clean all tooth surfaces, paying special attention to areas where restorations meet natural tooth structure. When flossing around dental crowns or bridges, thread the floss carefully beneath the restoration and along the gum line.
2. Avoid Hard, Sticky, and Acidic Foods
Hard foods like ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candies can crack porcelain crowns or dislodge fillings. Sticky substances like caramels and taffy can pull at restoration margins, creating gaps where bacteria accumulate. Minimize exposure to highly acidic foods and beverages, such as citrus fruits, sodas, and sports drinks, as they can erode the cement holding crowns in place and weaken tooth structure around dental fillings. Choose softer snacks, drink acidic beverages through a straw, and use your back teeth for tough foods instead of biting directly with front restorations.
3. Protect Restorations With a Custom Nightguard
Teeth grinding and clenching, known as bruxism, creates tremendous pressure on dental restorations. This unconscious habit can crack crowns, fracture fillings, and loosen bridges. A custom nightguard provides a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, evenly distributing bite forces and preventing direct contact with restorations. Unlike over-the-counter options, professionally fitted nightguards conform precisely to your teeth, offering superior protection and comfort for anyone who grinds their teeth during sleep.
4. Schedule Regular Dental Checkups and Cleanings
Regular dental visits allow your dentist to catch small problems before they become major issues. During routine dental cleanings, your hygienist can remove hardened plaque that home care misses, particularly around restoration margins. Your dentist will examine restorations for signs of wear, check the integrity of dental cement, and look for early decay. Most patients benefit from cleanings and exams every six months, though those with multiple restorations may need more frequent visits.
5. Use Your Teeth Only for Eating
Many people unconsciously use their teeth as tools to open packages, tear tags off clothing, or hold objects while their hands are full. These habits place extreme stress on dental restorations and natural teeth alike.
Dental implants and crowns may seem durable, but they weren’t designed to withstand the forces created by opening bottles or ripping tape. Keep scissors, bottle openers, and other tools readily available so you’re never tempted to use your teeth for anything other than their intended purpose of chewing food.
Trust Smiles for Life Family Dentistry With Your Dental Restoration Care in Las Vegas, Nevada
Protecting your dental restorations requires consistent care and professional guidance. At Smiles for Life Family Dentistry, we provide comprehensive maintenance support to help your crowns, fillings, bridges, and implants last as long as possible. Our experienced team understands the unique care requirements for different restoration types and will create a personalized maintenance plan suited to your specific needs.
Whether you need routine maintenance or have concerns about existing restorations, we’re here to help. Call us at (702) 795-2273 or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation and learn more about protecting your smile investment.
