Steel crowns are a staple for pediatric dentistry. These crowns work just like adult dental crowns and restore structure and shape to damaged milk teeth. They are strong and durable and allow children to eat comfortably and articulate their words clearly despite having damaged teeth. 

But how soon can your little one eat after getting stainless steel crowns and what should they eat? Keep reading to find out.

How Soon Can My Child Eat After Getting Crowns?

We advise waiting at least two to three hours after the procedure before feeding your child anything. This is enough time for the anesthetic to wear off and for your child to regain sensation in their mouth. Otherwise, if you feed your little one before the anesthetic wears off they could end up biting themselves. With that in mind, instruct your child to chew and bite with the side opposite to the dental crown for the first forty-eight hours after surgery.

Please note that it’s normal for them to feel mild discomfort after the surgery, which you can help relieve by giving them store-bought painkillers.

What Should I Feed My Child After Their Stainless Steel Crown Surgery?

Applying high bite pressure on the stainless-steel crown soon after the surgery could lead to crown failures. As such, you should restrict your child’s diet to soft foods and liquids that won’t put excessive stress on the newly placed crowns.

Some excellent foods you could feed your child after surgery include scrambled eggs, pudding, jelly, mashed banana, and applesauce. For drinks, fresh fruit juice will suffice, but you’ll want to avoid the acidic stuff and stick to mango, papaya, and carrot juice. At the same time, avoid giving your child any fizzy or sugary drinks that may damage the tooth holding the dental crowns.

You should also avoid feeding your child any hard foods like nuts or raw carrots soon after the procedure. The excessive bite pressure will easily dislodge the crown. Feeding them sticky foods like caramel and toffee will also do the same.

How Long Does It Take Your Child to Heal After Getting Dental Crowns?

Healing for children after getting pediatric dental crowns takes about three days. The mild pain and discomfort go away by the second day, and your child can resume their usual diet by the third.

During this time, remember to only feed your child soft foods and liquids, while maintaining a balanced diet. Don’t forget to have them brush and floss their teeth, but gently around the crowned tooth to avoid damaging it.

We’re Here for You and Your Little One!

Has tooth decay and physical trauma damaged your child’s teeth? If so, contact Dreamhouse Dental and we’ll attach stainless steel crowns on the teeth to restore their shape and functionality so your child can smile with confidence.