Can You Floss with a Temporary Crown

Written by Dr. Brian Harris

November 01, 2024

Can you floss with a temporary crown? Yes, you can, and it's an important part of maintaining your oral hygiene while protecting your dental work.

In this article, we'll cover how to floss a temporary crown properly, the type of floss that works best, and which flosses to avoid. We'll also explore the consequences of flossing incorrectly, how to care for other temporary dental work like bridges and veneers, and key tips for protecting your temporary crown overall.

Time to dive in!

What this article covers:

Can You Floss a Temporary Crown?

Yes, our research indicates that you can absolutely floss a temporary crown, and in fact, it is essential to do so.

A temporary crown is often more fragile than a permanent one, so proper care is essential to prevent damage while ensuring your teeth and gums stay clean and healthy.

That said, flossing with a temporary crown does require extra caution and a slightly modified technique. Pulling up on the floss could potentially dislodge the temporary crown, which is something you definitely want to avoid.

Can you floss too much? Absolutely. We advise flossing once per day to avoid gum irritation.

For a comprehensive cleaning experience, the SNOW Water Flosser is a fantastic tool. It offers three pressure settings and a portable, user-friendly design, ensuring you can clean effectively without disturbing delicate dental work.

How to Floss a Temporary Crown

Flossing a temporary crown requires a slightly adjusted technique to ensure both cleanliness and protection. Start by carefully threading the floss between your teeth, as you normally would.

can you floss with a temporary crown

When you reach the area near the temporary crown, use a gentle sawing motion to clean the sides of the tooth and gumline without putting any upward pressure on the crown itself.

Once the floss has removed any debris or plaque, the key difference is in how you remove the floss. Instead of pulling it back up between the teeth, slide it out from the side.

This minimizes any chance of pulling the crown out of place.

Our Activated Charcoal Whitening Floss is a great choice for flossing your crown. Made from bamboo fibers and infused with activated charcoal, this floss expands to clean thoroughly, ensuring safe and effective flossing

Does the Type of Floss Matter?

Yes, the type of floss you use can make a big difference. Not all flosses are created equal, and some are better suited for cleaning around delicate dental work.

Can you floss more than once a day? Doing so can cause several issues, like gum recession.

For added convenience, SNOW Charcoal Whitening Floss Picks offer an excellent on-the-go solution. These picks are infused with activated charcoal to whiten teeth while cleaning between them, making them an ideal choice for delicate dental work.

Floss Type You Shouldn't Use

When it comes to flossing with a temporary crown, certain types of floss should be avoided altogether. For example, dental tape or thick flosses may seem like they offer more cleaning power, but they can be too forceful around delicate temporary crowns.

These thicker flosses can easily catch on the edges of the crown, potentially pulling it out of place or even dislodging it completely.

Consequence Of Flossing Incorrectly

Our findings show that flossing incorrectly with a temporary crown can lead to several issues, the most important being the potential dislodging or loosening of the crown itself.

can you floss a crowned tooth

Temporary crowns are bonded with a less permanent adhesive, making them more vulnerable to coming loose.

Failing to floss correctly can lead to plaque buildup around the temporary crown, increasing the risk of gum inflammation, cavities, or even infection.

Flossing Other Temporary Dental Work

Flossing is essential for maintaining oral hygiene, even with temporary dental work like bridges, veneers, or fillings. We'll go into detail on how to protect each type while flossing carefully.

Temporary Bridges

Temporary bridges are designed to fill the gap created by a missing tooth or teeth until a permanent solution is in place. Flossing around a temporary bridge requires extra care, as the bridge is usually anchored to surrounding teeth with temporary cement.

Temporary Veneers

Temporary veneers are often used to protect your teeth and give you a preview of what your permanent veneers will look like. Flossing around temporary veneers requires a delicate approach, as the veneers are often more fragile than permanent versions.

When flossing temporary veneers, it's important to avoid pulling up between the teeth. Instead, use a gentle side-to-side motion to slide the floss out carefully, protecting the temporary veneer from becoming loose or damaged.

Temporary Fillings

Because these fillings aren't as durable as permanent ones, flossing needs to be done with care.

The goal is to clean around the temporary filling without putting it at risk. Always slide the floss out from the side rather than pulling up, as this will help preserve the integrity of the filling while maintaining good oral hygiene.

Temporary Inlays And Overlays

Temporary inlays and overlays are commonly used to protect teeth that have been damaged by decay or trauma. Just like with other temporary restorations, the key to flossing inlays and overlays is to be gentle.

can you floss with crowns

How to Protect Your Temporary Crown

At SNOW teeth whitening, we know that protecting your temporary crown is key to ensuring it stays in place until your permanent crown is ready. By being mindful of how you eat, clean, and care for your temporary crown, you can prevent damage and avoid unnecessary trips to the dentist.

Eat Carefully

When you have a temporary crown, eating carefully is crucial to avoid dislodging or damaging the crown. It's best to avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that can put pressure on the crown.

Instead, focus on softer foods that are less likely to cause problems. Chewing on the opposite side of your mouth can also help protect the temporary crown, minimizing the risk of accidental damage while eating.

Watch The Foods You Eat

Sticky or chewy foods, such as caramels or gum, can easily pull on the crown. To ensure your temporary crown stays intact, avoid these types of foods and opt for softer, less risky options.

Report The Damaged Crown Immediately

If your temporary crown becomes loose or damaged, it's important to contact your dentist immediately. Leaving a damaged crown in place can lead to increased discomfort, sensitivity, or even infection.

Brush And Floss Cautiously

Brushing and flossing are still vital when you have a temporary crown, but you need to take extra care. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently brush around the crown to keep the area clean without putting too much pressure on it.

Can you reuse floss? A single strand or pick of floss is made to be used only once before being discarded.

For brushing, the SNOW Advanced Whitening Electric Toothbrush is ideal. With four modes, it ensures thorough yet gentle cleaning. Its built-in UV disinfecting travel case keeps your brush bacteria-free, ensuring the best care for your teeth and temporary crown.

Conclusion

Flossing a temporary crown can seem tricky, but with the right technique, it's completely manageable.

Throughout this article, we discussed the best practices for flossing a temporary crown, the types of floss you should use and avoid, and how to care for other temporary dental work like bridges and veneers.

We also provided tips on protecting your crown by being mindful of what you eat, how you brush and floss, and the importance of reporting any issues to your dentist immediately.

For a reliable, effective, and easy-to-use oral care solution, check out SNOW. Visit our website for products designed to help you keep your smile bright while caring for your dental work.

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