Quick Answer
After getting a dental crown, it is recommended to wait 24 hours before eating normally again. During this time, stick to soft foods and avoid very hot or very cold foods that could damage the temporary cement holding the crown in place. After 24 hours, you can generally return to your normal diet, but avoid sticky, chewy, or hard foods for at least a week to allow the permanent cement to fully set.
When Can I Eat After a Crown?
Getting a dental crown can be a bit uncomfortable and you will likely be eager to get back to eating normally as soon as possible. Here is a general timeline for eating after a crown:
Immediately After the Crown Procedure
Your mouth will be numb right after getting a crown put on. Avoid eating or drinking anything until the numbness has completely worn off, which typically takes 1-2 hours. This prevents you from accidentally biting your lip, cheek, or tongue while numb.
The First 24 Hours
During the first 24 hours after getting a crown, stick to soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, soup, eggs, and well-cooked pasta. Avoid crunchy, sticky, and very hot or cold foods which could potentially dislodge the temporary cement holding the crown in place.
24 Hours to 1 Week
After 24 hours, you can generally return to eating most of your regular foods. However, continue avoiding very hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky foods which take a lot of pressure to bite and chew. Things like nuts, seeds, hard candies, raw vegetables, steak, jerky, pretzels, popcorn should be avoided to allow the permanent cement to fully set.
After 1 Week
By 1 week after your crown procedure, the permanent cement should be fully set and hardened. At this point, you can resume eating all your regular foods. Good oral hygiene habits like brushing, flossing, and avoiding sugary snacks will help the crown last long term.
What Can I Eat Immediately After a Crown?
As mentioned above, it is best to avoid eating or drinking anything until the numbing medication has worn off completely after your dental crown procedure. The numb feeling typically lasts for 1-2 hours.
Here are some tips for managing eating and drinking right after getting a crown before the numbness subsides:
– Drink small sips of cool water to keep your mouth hydrated. Avoid hot drinks which could burn your mouth while numb.
– Don’t try to chew gum or hard candies – these could damage the temporary cement or new crown.
– Wait to eat a meal until you regain full sensation in your mouth and can swallow safely.
– Use caution when drinking through a straw, as the suction can dislodge the temporary cement.
– Avoid alcohol or carbonated beverages, which can irritate the freshly cemented crown.
Once the numbness wears off completely, you can proceed with eating soft foods as described in the timeline above. Take care when eating and chewing until the crown is permanently cemented into place.
What Foods Should I Avoid After a Crown?
There are certain foods that are more likely to damage or dislodge a newly cemented crown. Here are some foods to avoid:
For the First 24 Hours:
– Hard, crunchy, or sticky foods like chips, nuts, hard candy, raw veggies, chewy bread.
– Very hot or very cold foods and drinks that could shock the tooth and weaken the temporary cement.
– Alcoholic or carbonated beverages which can irritate the crown.
For the First Week:
– Hard or chewy foods like raw carrots, apples, bagels, steak.
– Sticky sweets like caramels, gum, and taffy.
– Crunchy snacks like popcorn, nuts, chips, crackers.
– Foods that need extensive chewing like beef jerky, peanut brittle, dried fruit.
– Bread or pizza crust – the hard outer portion. Softer inner bread is ok.
Basically, stick to soft, gentle foods like eggs, pasta, cooked vegetables, yogurt, oatmeal, soup, mashed potatoes. After 1 week, you should be able to return to your normal diet. But continue practicing good oral hygiene to help your crown last.
Best Foods to Eat With a Temporary Crown
While you have a temporary crown in place before getting a permanent crown, you’ll need to be extra careful with what you eat. Temporary cement is not quite as strong. Here are some good food choices:
– Yogurt and soft cheeses like cottage cheese – protein-rich without much chewing.
– Soups, especially blended or pureed varieties like creamed soups.
– Scrambled eggs or soft omelets.
– Oatmeal or cream of wheat.
– Mashed potatoes or baked potatoes without skin.
– Macaroni and cheese, pasta, quinoa, rice.
– Soft cooked vegetables like steamed carrots, green beans, squash.
– Canned fruits like peaches, pears, mandarin oranges.
– Soft bread without crust, rolls, tortillas.
– Smoothies and shakes with blended fruit or yogurt.
– Pudding, jello, ice cream, applesauce.
Stick to lukewarm or room temperature foods. Extreme hot or cold can weaken the temporary cement seal. Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky foods that take effort to chew. Be very gentle as you eat and brush carefully.
What Can I Eat 1 Week After a Crown?
After 1 week of having your dental crown placed, the cement should be fully cured and hardened. At this point, you can generally return to eating all your regular foods.
Here are some examples of foods you can add back to your diet after 1 week with a new crown:
– Steaks, pork chops, chicken – meat that requires more chewing.
– Raw veggies and salads – cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, lettuce, etc.
– Fresh fruits like apples, pears, melons.
– Hard cheeses.
– Breads and sandwiches with crusty outer portion.
– Pizza, calzones.
– Chips, crackers, pretzels, popcorn.
– Nuts and trail mixes.
– Hard candies and throat lozenges.
– Corn on the cob.
– Granola, cereals.
– Peanut brittle, dried fruits.
Just use common sense when eating. Avoid opening bottles with your teeth or biting into foods that could crack or damage the crown. But for the most part, you can enjoy all your regular foods again after allowing the cement to fully cure for 1 week.
When Can I Eat After Getting a Temporary Crown?
Temporary crowns are made of acrylic or resin and designed to protect your tooth after a root canal or crown prep appointment until you get a permanent crown. You’ll need to be extra careful when eating with a temporary crown in place. Here are some tips:
– Wait at least 2 hours after your appointment before eating to allow the temporary cement to set.
– Stick to soft foods for the first 24 hours like yogurt, applesauce, soups.
– Avoid very hot, cold, sticky, hard foods which could loosen or dislodge the temporary crown.
– Don’t chew on hard candies, ice cubes, raw veggies, or crusty bread.
– Cut food into small pieces and chew on the opposite side of your mouth from the temporary crown.
– Avoid opening bottles with your teeth or biting into corn on the cob.
– Brush carefully around the temporary crown and avoid pulling up on the side of it.
Follow any other specific instructions from your dentist. Be very gentle while eating and brushing until your permanent crown is placed. Temporary crowns typically last for 1-2 weeks before they need to be replaced. Call your dentist right away if it comes loose or falls off.
Foods to Avoid After Dental Work
After any dental procedure like getting a filling, crown, or extraction, you’ll need to be mindful of what foods you eat while your mouth heals. Here are some foods to avoid:
– Hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky foods that take effort to chew and could irritate the affected tooth and surrounding gums. Things like nuts, chips, hard candies, raw veggies.
– Coarse, dry foods like toast, pretzels, crackers that could get stuck in the healing area.
– Extremely hot or cold foods and drinks which could shock or irritate the tooth.
– Carbonated beverages like soda or beer which cause bubbles and irritation.
– Spicy foods with hot chili peppers.
– Hard alcohol or drinking through a straw, which creates suction.
– Sugary sweets like candy which promote bacteria growth.
Instead, stick to soft, smooth foods for the first 24-48 hours like yogurt, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, soup, eggs, juice. Avoid eating on the side of your mouth that had dental work done. Rinse gently after eating. Let your dentist know if you have any concerns.
Conclusion
Getting a new dental crown requires some temporary changes to your diet to allow for proper healing. Avoid eating while your mouth is still numb for 1-2 hours after the procedure. Stick to soft foods for the first 24 hours, then start reintroducing your normal diet after that, except for hard, sticky, or crunchy foods. After 1 week, the cement should be fully set and you can enjoy all your regular foods again. Be extra careful while you have a temporary crown in place. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits will help your crown last for many years. Let your dentist know if you have any questions or concerns during your recovery period.