Getting a dental crown can be a big relief. The tooth is protected, and you can finally move on from the pain or damage that brought you to the dentist in the first place.
Still, it’s normal to have questions after you leave the office.
Can you eat normally? Is sensitivity normal? How long should the tooth feel sore? What foods should you avoid? And how do you keep the crown in good shape?
The good news is that post-crown care is pretty simple. For the first few days, take it easy on the tooth, avoid very hard or sticky foods, and keep brushing and flossing as usual.
Here’s what you need to know about caring for your new crown.
Post-Crown Care: What to Expect After Getting a Crown
Getting a dental crown can be a big relief. The tooth is protected, and you can finally move on from the pain or damage that brought you to the dentist in the first place.
Still, it’s normal to have questions after you leave the office.
Can you eat normally? Is sensitivity normal? How long should the tooth feel sore? What foods should you avoid? And how do you keep the crown in good shape?
The good news is that post-crown care is pretty simple. For the first few days, take it easy on the tooth, avoid very hard or sticky foods, and keep brushing and flossing as usual.
Here’s what you need to know about caring for your new crown.
What to Do After Getting a Crown
The first few days are when you’ll want to be a little more careful with your new crown.
During the first 24 hours
Unless your dentist has given you different instructions:
- Choose softer foods if the tooth feels sore.
- Avoid sticky foods such as caramel and taffy.
- Stay away from very hard foods such as ice and hard candy.
- If your mouth is still numb, wait until the numbness wears off before eating so you don’t bite your cheek or tongue.
- Brush your teeth as usual, but be gentle if the gum around the crown feels tender.
- Continue flossing around the crown.
You don’t need to stop using the tooth completely. Just don’t put it through a serious stress test right away with hard or sticky foods.
What can you eat after getting a crown?
You can usually return to your normal diet as soon as the tooth feels comfortable.
If chewing feels sore during the first few days, choose foods that are easier to chew. Eggs, yogurt, pasta, rice, soup, cooked vegetables, and other soft foods can make things more comfortable.
As the tooth settles down, you can gradually return to your normal foods.
Is New Crown Sensitivity Normal?
Yes, some sensitivity after getting a crown can be normal.
You might notice that cold water or a hot drink causes a brief sharp feeling. The tooth has just been worked on, and the gum around it may also be irritated from the procedure.
For many people, this sensitivity gets better with time.
How long does crown sensitivity last?
The most important thing is that the sensitivity is improving.
If your tooth feels a little sensitive at first and gradually feels better, that’s usually a good sign.
However, severe sensitivity or discomfort that keeps getting worse should not be ignored. If you’re still having significant sensitivity after a couple of weeks, contact your dentist so they can check the tooth and crown.
If you’re dealing with ongoing tooth discomfort, our guide to managing dental pain before professional assistance can also help you understand what to watch for.
What About Crown Soreness?
Some crown soreness is common after treatment.
Your gum may feel tender around the new crown, especially if the dentist had to work close to the gumline. This should gradually improve over the next few days.
There’s another thing to pay attention to: how your crown feels when you bite.
If the new crown feels too high or that tooth touches your other teeth first when you close your mouth, let your dentist know. The crown may simply need a small adjustment.
You shouldn’t have to put up with a bite that doesn’t feel right.
Temporary vs. Permanent Crown: What’s the Difference?
The care instructions can be a little different for a temporary vs. permanent crown.
A temporary crown protects your tooth while your permanent crown is being made. Because it’s not designed to be your final restoration, it can come loose more easily, especially when you eat sticky or chewy foods.
If you have a temporary crown, be careful with:
- Caramel and taffy
- Chewing gum
- Sticky foods
- Very hard foods
- Chewing directly on the temporary crown
Your permanent crown is made to handle normal chewing, but it still needs proper care.
If your temporary crown comes loose, contact your dentist. Don’t try to permanently glue it back yourself.
How to Care for a Crown Long Term
Once your tooth has settled, crown maintenance is much like taking care of your natural teeth.
Brush twice a day
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Pay attention to the area where the crown meets your natural tooth. The crown itself can’t get a cavity, but the natural tooth around it can still develop decay.
Floss every day
Having a crown doesn’t mean you can skip flossing.
Food and plaque can collect around the crown and gumline. Cleaning these areas every day helps protect the tooth and your gums.
If you want to improve your daily routine, these at-home oral hygiene tips are a helpful place to start.
Don’t use your teeth as tools
Your crown may be strong, but it’s not unbreakable.
Avoid using your teeth to:
- Open packages
- Open bottles
- Bite your fingernails
- Crack nuts or shells
- Chew ice
- Break hard objects
These habits can damage both your crown and the natural tooth underneath it.
What if you grind your teeth?
If you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep, tell your dentist.
Grinding puts extra pressure on your teeth and crowns. Your dentist may recommend a night guard to help protect your teeth while you sleep.
Can a Crown Get a Cavity?
The crown itself doesn’t develop cavities, but the natural tooth around or underneath it still can.
That means you still need to brush, floss, visit your dentist regularly, and keep an eye on how much sugar and acidic food or drinks you consume.
A crown protects a damaged tooth. It doesn’t replace your normal dental care.
When to Call Your Dentist
Some discomfort after a crown is expected. But certain symptoms should be checked.
Call your dentist if you notice:
- Pain that is getting worse instead of better
- Severe or ongoing crown soreness
- Strong sensitivity to hot or cold
- Pain when biting or chewing that doesn’t improve
- A crown that feels loose or moves
- A crown that feels too high when you bite
- Swelling around the tooth or gums
- A persistent bad taste or drainage around the tooth
- A crown that has cracked, chipped, or fallen out
If you notice one of these problems, don’t panic. A loose crown or bite problem doesn’t always mean there’s a serious issue. Your dentist can examine it and determine what needs to be done.
For severe pain, swelling, infection, or other urgent problems, read our guide on when dental emergency care is needed.
Don’t Skip Your Follow-Up Appointment
If your dentist asks you to come back after getting your crown, make the appointment.
Your dentist can check the crown, your bite, your gums, and how the tooth is responding to treatment.
It’s also the right time to mention anything that doesn’t feel quite right.
Maybe the crown feels a little high. Maybe cold water still bothers you. Maybe floss keeps getting caught in one area.
Tell your dentist. These small details can help them catch and fix a problem early.
How Long Does It Take to Get Used to a New Crown?
It can take a little time to get used to a new crown.
Your tooth may feel different when you bite, and the area around it may be slightly tender. For most people, these feelings improve as the tooth settles.
Pay attention to how things are changing.
If the discomfort is getting better, that’s reassuring. If the pain is getting worse or isn’t improving, give your dentist a call.
You don’t need to spend days wondering whether something is normal. A quick dental check can give you an answer.
The Bottom Line
Taking care of a new crown doesn’t have to be difficult.
For the first few days, avoid very hard and sticky foods if the tooth feels tender. Keep brushing and flossing every day, and don’t use the crown to bite or open things that aren’t food.
A little sensitivity or soreness can happen after treatment. What matters is that it starts to improve.
If your crown hurts more over time, feels loose, feels too high when you bite, or just doesn’t feel right, contact your dentist.
If you’re looking for information about same-day crowns and ceramic restorations, West Fam Dentistry can help you understand your treatment options and what to expect from your restoration.
