Post-Operative Instructions
Pediatric Dental Crown

Today your child received a dental crown, which is a protective cap placed over a tooth to restore strength and prevent further decay. Crowns are commonly used in pediatric dentistry to treat teeth that have been affected by cavities, fractures, or after procedures such as a baby root canal (pulpotomy).

At Tiny Tooth Co., crowns are secured using a fluoride-containing dental cement, which helps strengthen the tooth while keeping the crown firmly in place.

This cement continues to fully harden for approximately 12 hours after placement, so it is important to follow the care instructions below during the initial healing period.

What to Expect After Crown Placement
It is normal for children to experience some temporary changes after receiving a dental crown.

Your child may notice:

• A feeling that the bite is slightly different

• Mild gum irritation around the tooth

• Minor bleeding around the gums

• Temporary soreness or tenderness near the treated tooth

These symptoms typically improve within a few days as the gums heal and your child adjusts to the crown. Because the crown changes the shape of the tooth slightly, it may take one to two weeks for the bite to feel completely normal.

Diet After Crown Placement
Because the dental cement takes about 12 hours to reach its final strength, we recommend a soft diet for the remainder of the day. Good food choices include:

• Yogurt

• Applesauce

• Mashed potatoes

• Pasta

• Scrambled eggs

• Smoothies

Encourage your child to chew carefully and avoid very hard foods during the first day.

Foods to Avoid
Sticky and hard foods can occasionally dislodge or damage crowns. Please avoid:

• Sticky candy

• Fruit snacks

• Caramel or taffy

• Chewing gum

For white crowns (zirconia crowns), it is especially important to avoid biting very hard foods, such as:

• Jolly Ranchers

• Hard candy

• Ice

• Almonds or very hard nuts

These foods can potentially cause the crown to fracture and require replacement.

Oral Hygiene
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential for protecting your child’s crown and surrounding teeth. Parents should encourage children to:

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste

• Floss carefully around the crown

• Continue regular dental checkups every six months

Keeping the gums clean helps reduce irritation and supports healthy healing.

Gum Irritation
After the appointment, the gum tissue around the crown may appear:

• Red

• Slightly swollen

• Tender to the touch

Minor bleeding while brushing may also occur during the first few days. These symptoms should improve with gentle brushing and proper oral hygiene.

Pain or Sensitivity
Some children experience mild soreness near the treated tooth or surrounding gums. If needed, you may give your child:

• Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil)

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Please follow the dosing instructions on the medication label based on your child’s age and weight. Most sensitivity is related to the soft tissue around the gums, rather than the tooth itself.