How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

The material crowns are made of can affect how long the crown lasts. Some dental crowns will be more durable than others. Your lifestyle and hygiene habits are important factors. And whether you clench or grind your teeth can play a role in the life of your crown.

Taking care of a dental crown:

How long dental crowns will last depends on many other factors in addition to the material they are made of. Practicing good dental hygiene by brushing and flossing twice a day will increase the life of your crowns. You can also increase crown life by limiting consumption of hard or crunchy foods. If you tend to clench or grind your teeth, your crowns may not last longer. Habitual teeth-grinding is called bruxism, and many people do it while they’re sleeping and don’t even realize it. A dentist can determine if you are a nighttime grinder, and explain how that may affect your crowns.

Dental crown needs to be replaced, if it cracked or broken or in case of excessive wear. If you have additional questions about dental crowns, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Expressions Dental™.

Braces? At My Age?

If you feel a little self-conscious about your crooked teeth, you are not alone. Thankfully, braces aren’t just for kids any more. Today, adults make up nearly 20% of brace wearers.

So why get braces as an adult?

· A straighter smile
· Shifting teeth - Just because you had braces as a kid doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Teeth tend to move a little throughout your life. Your teeth may shift a little back toward their original positions. If you don't wear your retainer.
· Better oral health - It’s no surprise that straight teeth are easier to brush and floss. So if you’re doing your part — expect healthier gums.
· Braces can help people manage some more serious issues, too, like bite problems that cause jaw pain. In some cases, braces are necessary to change the position of neighboring teeth for a new bridge, crown, or implant.

Available options
Today’s braces options are barely noticeable. They include:
· Ceramic brackets made of a clear material.
· Brackets attached to the back of teeth to hold the wires that pull teeth into a new position.
· Customized plastic aligners that fit like tooth guards over teeth, gently moving them into a new position.
· Metal Brackets

Treatment
How long you’ll need to wear braces depends on what needs to be accomplished. Most treatments range from 12 to 44 months. Adult teeth sometimes take longer than children’s teeth to move into new positions. Once teeth are in the desired position, you are likely to need to wear a retainer. Many dentist or orthodontists now recommend long term retainers wear. For more information contact a dentist in NW Calgary.

Tips for Fresh Breath

Everyone suffers occasionally from bad breath. Bad breath is most commonly caused by conditions in your mouth, such as the food you eat, and how often you clean your teeth, gums and tongue. This is a dental problem, which you can probably fix yourself.

Read these tips on how to keep your breath fresh:

1. Floss and brush your teeth, gums and tongue daily to prevent bad breath. Clean as far back on your tongue as you can, as that’s where bacteria often collect. If you don’t clean your mouth, any remaining food particles will attract bacteria, which cause bad breath and contribute to tooth decay.
2. Brush and floss your teeth after eating. If you can't do a thorough cleaning, drinking water or chewing sugar-free gum are good options.
3. Use fluoride mouth rinse for fresher breath. Not only can decayed teeth hurt, they may have an awful odor. Tooth decay can be prevented with fluoride toothpaste and proper dental care.
4. Be aware that certain foods — such as garlic, onions and some spices — can contribute to bad breath for up to 72 hours after eating.
5. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
6. Keep your nasal passages free. Blowing your nose and making sure you are breathing through your nose rather than your mouth will contribute to fresher breath.
7. Stop smoking.
8. Eat more fresh, crunchy fruits and vegetables. The act of chewing on raw, healthy foods enhances saliva flow and also pushes food debris out from between teeth and spaces between the gums and teeth.
9. Bad breath can also be an early symptom of periodontal or gum disease. Gum disease is an infection that affects the gums and jawbone, which can lead to a loss of gum and teeth. If left alone, the bacteria will build up on your teeth and irritate the gums. Flossing helps removes food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. Be sure to also visit your dentist for periodic cleanings and exams.
10. Dry mouth leads to bad breath. Saliva inhibits the growth of bacteria that contribute to bad breath by cleansing the mouth and removing odor-causing food particles. Dry mouth is also caused by some medications, alcohol and breathing with your mouth open. Drink plenty of water or chew sugar-free gum or candy to keep your mouth moist.

Chronic bad breath however, can be a visible sign that something is not right. If bad breath persists, schedule an appointment with your dentist. It can be an indicator of gum disease or dry mouth. If it is due to an oral condition, your dentist can develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it.