Getting a dental crown is a great way to restore a damaged or weakened tooth, but many patients wonder if it will limit what they can eat. The good news is that, in most cases, you can still enjoy your favorite foods after getting a crown. However, a few precautions can help protect your restoration and keep your smile healthy.
What to Expect Right After Placement
Immediately after receiving a crown, your tooth and surrounding gums may feel a bit sensitive. During this short adjustment period, it’s best to stick to softer foods and avoid anything extremely hot or cold.
If you’ve been given a temporary crown, you’ll need to be especially careful. Temporary crowns are not as strong as permanent ones and can come loose if exposed to hard or sticky foods.
Eating with a Permanent Crown
Once your permanent crown is placed and your mouth has adjusted, you can return to a normal diet. Dental crowns are designed to be strong and durable, allowing you to chew most foods comfortably.
That said, crowns are not indestructible. Biting down on very hard items—like ice, hard candy, or unpopped popcorn kernels—can damage the crown or even the underlying tooth. It’s best to avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages or bite into extremely tough objects.
Be Careful with Sticky Foods
Sticky foods like caramel or chewing gum can sometimes pull at a crown, especially if it’s newly placed or not fully bonded. While occasional indulgence is usually fine, it’s wise to enjoy these foods in moderation and chew carefully.
If you ever feel your crown loosen or shift while eating, contact your dentist right away.
Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
Even though a crown covers your tooth, it doesn’t make it immune to problems. Decay can still develop at the edges where the crown meets your natural tooth, and your gums still need proper care.
Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and attending regular dental checkups will help keep both your crown and surrounding teeth in great condition.
Listen to Your Mouth
Everyone’s experience is a little different. If certain foods cause discomfort or sensitivity, it’s okay to avoid them or reintroduce them gradually. Your dentist can also check your bite to ensure the crown fits properly and isn’t causing unnecessary pressure.
Yes, you can still enjoy most of your favorite foods with dental crowns. With a little care—especially when it comes to hard or sticky items—you can maintain both your crown and your overall oral health. If you have questions about specific foods or concerns after your procedure, your dentist is the best resource.
About the Practice
At Lake Oconee Dentistry, we can beautifully repair your broken or weakened teeth with a tried-and-true restoration: dental crowns! Our highly credentialed team of dentists use natural-looking, high quality materials. And did we mention we’ve been voted best customer service in the area? Come see what makes us different. Schedule an appointment online or call our Greensboro office at (706) 453-1333.