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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health


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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health

Like many people who need to lose a few pounds, I try diet after diet in an attempt to find one that finally works for me. I learned the hard way that I need to make sure any diet will not harm my teeth, even if it does help me lose a few pounds. I learned this lesson when following a grapefruit diet. There are many versions of this, but the version I tried had me eat a grapefruit alone several times each day. It was supposed to suppress my appetite. I helped keep me from munching on unhealthy snacks, but the acid in the fruit took a toll on my tooth enamel and I quickly started getting lots of cavities. I created this blog to remind people that change up their diets often to make sure the foods they are eating are not harming their teeth.

What Should You Do If You Feel Your Dental Crown Is Coming Loose?

Many people have received dental crowns in their lives, usually for repairing and protecting teeth after having a severe cavity drilled or following a root canal. If you have a dental crown and think that yours might be coming loose, it's important to take action quickly. Here's how you can ensure that your tooth stays safe.

Call a Dentist

First things first: call a reputable dentist for help. If your usual dentist is booked up, you may want to seek out a specialist or emergency dentist that can get you in more quickly. Even if they only fit you with a temporary replacement crown, this is better than trying to limp through with a broken, dislodged, or otherwise damaged dental crown until your regular dentist can see you.

If you do go to another dentist, they'll either provide you with a full repair or replacement, or they may set you up with a temporary crown. If it's temporary, you'll be able to go to your regular dentist later for a full custom-made replacement.

Temporary Fixes

Once your appointment is made, you'll likely still need to wait a little while before you can actually come into the office. This is where you need to take extra steps to care for your tooth and crown.

If the crown is still in place, try to avoid chewing on it. This may mean chewing on the other side of your mouth for a period of time. This isn't the most natural thing, but it will help prevent the crown from experiencing further damage. The dental cement holding it in place may be degrading, or it may be in a position where too much pressure could harm the tooth under it, so be careful.

If the crown is already off or extremely loose, you can use temporary dental cement to help put it back in its normal spot. This is a strong adhesive, but it's not permanent, so don't use it in place of a dentist appointment. Once you get to the office, they'll be able to remove it and proceed with a replacement or repair.

Problems to Watch Out For

Unfortunately, until your dental crown is fully in position again, it's possible for your teeth to experience some harm. If you notice any pain, numbness, or tingling in the tooth under the crown, get in touch with a dentist right away. This may indicate that the tooth has been damaged or is being infiltrated by bacteria, which can cause internal problems.

In addition, if you experience any bleeding, gum swelling, or any other dental problems in the area, ask your dentist about scheduling an emergency appointment. When crowns are dislodged and teeth are damaged, sometimes infections can follow. This can potentially put your gums and other teeth at risk, so don't hesitate to reach out to get a new dental crown.