Your dental restorations help you eat, speak, and smile with less worry. You depend on them every day. Yet some common habits can weaken them faster than you expect. You might not feel pain at first. You might not see a crack or chip. Still, quiet damage can build until a crown breaks or a filling fails. Then you face more time in the chair and higher costs. You can prevent much of this. When you know what harms your restorations, you can change small routines and protect your mouth. A dentist in Abilene, TX sees the same harmful patterns again and again. This blog explains three common habits that put your crowns, fillings, and bridges at risk. You will see what each habit does, why it matters, and how to stop it before it ruins your dental work.
1. Grinding or Clenching Your Teeth
Grinding wears down natural teeth. It also strains crowns, fillings, and bridges. You might grind during sleep or clench during stress. You may not notice until a tooth chips or a crown feels loose.
Here is how grinding harms your restorations.
- It cracks porcelain on crowns.
- It loosens cement that holds a crown or bridge.
- It flattens fillings so food packs between teeth.
The force from grinding can be stronger than chewing food. Over time, that force breaks down even strong materials. You might wake with a sore jaw or dull headache. You might hear your teeth scrape at night.
You can take three clear steps.
- Ask your dentist to check for wear on your teeth and restorations.
- Use a night guard if your dentist suggests one.
- Practice stress control habits like slow breathing or gentle stretching before bed.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research explains that grinding can shorten the life of dental work. A simple guard can protect crowns and fillings from that heavy pressure.
2. Chewing Hard Objects and Sticky Snacks
Many people chew on ice, pens, or hard candy without thinking. You might crack a shell with your teeth or bite on popcorn kernels at the bottom of the bucket. These habits feel small. They carry real risk for your restorations.
Hard items can cause sudden damage.
- They can chip porcelain or composite fillings.
- They can fracture a crown edge.
- They can split a tooth under a large filling.
Sticky snacks create another problem. Caramel, taffy, and chewy candy pull at crowns and fillings. They can lift a crown off the tooth. They can wedge sugar around the edges and cause decay under the restoration.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that sugar attacks teeth each time you eat it. When sugar sticks to crowns and bridges, it feeds bacteria around the edges. That can rot the tooth holding your restoration.
You can change this pattern with three simple choices.
- Skip chewing ice, pens, fingernails, and hard candy.
- Choose snacks like yogurt, cheese, or fresh fruit instead of sticky candy.
- Rinse with water after sweets if you cannot brush right away.
Comparison of Common Habits That Damage Restorations
| Habit | Type of Damage | Restorations Most at Risk | Simple Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teeth grinding or clenching | Cracks, chips, loose crowns, worn fillings | Crowns, bridges, large fillings | Wear a night guard and manage stress |
| Chewing hard objects | Sudden fractures and chips | Porcelain crowns, tooth-colored fillings | Avoid ice, pens, and hard candy |
| Eating sticky candy often | Loose crowns and decay under restorations | Crowns, bridges, older fillings | Limit sticky sweets and rinse or brush after |
| Poor cleaning habits | Decay along edges and gum disease | All restorations, especially near gums | Brush and floss every day and see your dentist |
3. Skipping Daily Cleaning and Regular Checkups
Restorations do not decay. The tooth around them still does. When plaque builds along the edge of a crown or filling, bacteria slip into tiny gaps. That decay can spread under the restoration. You might not see it until the tooth hurts or the crown falls off.
Three missed habits cause the most trouble.
- Not brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Not cleaning between teeth with floss or another tool.
- Not seeing your dentist for exams and cleanings.
When you skip these steps, you risk cavities, gum disease, and infection around your dental work. That damage can mean root canals, extractions, or new crowns. Each new treatment costs more time and money.
You can protect your restorations with a steady routine.
- Brush gently for two minutes in the morning and before bed.
- Floss once a day, sliding along the side of each tooth and under bridges.
- Keep regular dental visits every six months or as your dentist advises.
Your dentist can spot small cracks, loose edges, or early decay before you feel pain. Early fixes protect the rest of your mouth and keep your restorations working longer.
See also: Advancements and Applications of IV Therapy in Modern Healthcare
How To Protect Your Dental Restorations Every Day
You can keep your crowns, fillings, and bridges strong with three core steps.
- Use them only for eating. Do not use your teeth as tools.
- Keep a steady cleaning routine with fluoride and floss.
- See your dentist on a regular schedule and speak up about grinding, pain, or sensitivity.
Each smart choice adds years to your dental work. Each day you protect your restorations, you also protect your time, your budget, and your peace of mind.
