Protecting your porcelain crowns is incredibly important. Although porcelain crowns are stain-resistant, dark coloured liquids such as coffee can stain them over time. In this post, we will look at how coffee stains can be cleaned from porcelain crowns, ensuring you can maintain a bright and white smile.
Does Porcelain Stain?
Porcelain crowns are highly durable and stain resistant, but over time they can become damaged and stained if they’re not cared for correctly.
The good news is that although coffee stains may display on the surface of your crown, stains do not penetrate the surface of porcelain unless the crown is damaged. With the majority of stains, there’s no lasting damage to the crown itself and the stain can be removed by a professional clean.
Many porcelain crowns become stained where the margin of the porcelain becomes exposed in the mouth, or where the material has become roughened. In these instances, you may find that your dentist uses a specialist porcelain polishing system, smoothing the surface.
It’s always important to identify the factors that lead to the crowns becoming stained, as this can identify the best form of treatment.
Preventing Porcelain Becoming Damaged
Porcelain crowns can become damaged by:
· The regular use of a highly abrasive toothpaste that wears away the outer glaze
· Excessive pressure when brushing
· Not using a soft bristled toothbrush
· Eating hard foods that can chip and roughen the surface of the crown
· Tar and compounds in cigarettes
· Highly acidic foods wearing down the anti-staining resin
· Alcoholic beverages softening the surface of the bonding resin
Most of these problems only cause minor surface stains that can be repaired at home or as part of your regular check-up and clean.
How to Clean Coffee Stains From Porcelain Crowns
1. Brush Your Teeth Regularly
Quite often, your teeth can look bright and stain-free again after a thorough clean at home.
Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day helps to remove the pellicle layer that forms on the crown and attracts the stains.
You can also add a fluoride rinse and a fluoride content toothpaste or gel to your cleaning regime. In addition, between meals, you can also chew sugarless gum, which helps remove any build-up.
You should then also visit your dentist regularly for a deep cleaning treatment. Your dentist can remove plaque and clean hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, preventing permanent stains. Deep cleaning can also give your porcelain crown a smooth polish.
2. Use a Whitening Kit for your Natural Teeth
If you notice staining around your crown, or notice that your natural teeth are becoming stained by coffee, then you should consider a touch-up kit. Although these will have no effect on your crowns (as they only whiten natural teeth), they can help bring the colour back in line with the colour of your crowns by whitening crevices that are susceptible to staining.
Although regular and effective teeth cleaning at home can be hugely beneficial in cleaning stains from your crowns, you will find that regular professional dental check-ups and cleans can have the greatest effect. Call us today on 07 3300 1277 or contact us to learn about how you can get and keep a healthy, happy smile.