Received First Temporary Crown; Too Afraid to Eat Anything

[Vempyremon]

I went to the dentist today to get an infection out of two teeth. One got a root canal and got a temporary crown put onto it.
The other is sealed up with medicine so it can heal.

I'm freaking out so much about the temporary falling out so easily, I havent eaten anything all day. I know I want to, but I cant bring myself to.
The pain is mild and it already feels like my stomach is trying to eat itself, but I'm too afraid to eat and drink.
Even soup. I cant bring myself to even touch that.

I dont get a permanent until April 1st. I dont know what I can do.

[msgb98]

I have a temporary crown on right now too.
I had it put on 5 days ago.
I went to the dentist today because the temporary was very sharp on my tongue.
I have eaten very soft foods as the dentist suggested.
I have eaten on the side opposite the temporary too.

[ceh1354]

Temporary crowns are pretty strong, stronger that you'd think. I have had several of them. You can eat normally, with the exception of hard crunchy foods or sticky foods (candy). You can still eat on the side with the crown, just be more careful. I would, however, wait a full 24 hours before chewing on that side.
It will be fine!

[Vempyremon]

I guess I keep thinking it'll come out with the very slightest of movements. (I wont even let myself smile)
My biggest fear about this is if I swallow it...Or what would happen if I end up grinding my teeth at night; sometimes I do, sometimes I dont.
Would the temporary be strong enough to hold a light grind?

I do have a mouth guard, but the way it hits my upper back teeth (my crown is on the upper back), I only think that would make it worse.

[msgb98]

I have four mouth guards.
I clench my teeth something awful at night due to the TMJ.
I wear a mouth guard for the top and bottom teeth,.

[ceh1354]

No way will it come out with the slightest movements! They make them to last a while. I had one once for well over a month!
As for the grinding, I don't think I grind my teeth at night, I didn't have that issue. However, they use the same cement on both temp and perm., crowns so it's on there really good.
I think I'd call my dentist and ask that question, ask if it would be OK to wear your bite guard.
But I seriously would not worry about it.

[avianwaif]

I had a temporary crown for five YEARS... what happened is that I got it after a root canal, then switched jobs and lost dental coverage before I could get the permanent crown installed. So I lived with the temporary crown until the tooth succumbed to decay 5 years later and was extracted (that was painless, and MUCH faster then the 2-appointment root canal). I ate whatever I wanted and that included steak, sugarless chewing gum, sliced apple, etc. You can eat basically whatever you want except sticky chewing gum, ice cubes, caramel apples... just be prudent about it - treat it like a filling you don't want to pull from the tooth - and you'll be fine.

[kazoo]

I have had four crowns and never had a problem with the temporaries.  I have even eaten nuts on that side with no problems.  I agree that sticky foods would probably be something to avoid.

Also, I was told by the dentist that even in the unlikely case it does come off, it's not a big deal.  You just go back and they fix it.

If I were you, and I still didn't believe what everyone here is saying, I'd just call the dentist office and tell them the concerns.  I bet they'd tell you to go ahead and eat!

[aunjypoo]

I'm a dental assistant and ive seen folks come in to get temporaries replaced and the dentist couldn't get it off for anything.. So they were told to just go home and come back when it fell off, and in some cases it would be years.. In all honesty it depends on if they mixed the cement properly and let it dry like it should, but if they did a good job then you're safe... And if it pops off the dentist said to put a little denture paste in it and stick it back on.