Dental crowns are the best way to restore a tooth that's cracked, chipped, or had decay so severe, it needed a root canal. Even though dental crowns can preserve your tooth so you don't have to have it pulled, you want to take certain measures to minimize your need for crowns. After all, you only get one set of teeth and you want to keep them as healthy as possible.

Keep Up with Dental Cleanings

When you have a lot of tartar and plaque buildup, you risk opening up your teeth to decay. The only way to remove stuck-on tartar and plaque is by getting regular dental cleanings twice a year. A routine dental cleaning also gives your dentist a chance to evaluate the health of each of your teeth and get updated X-rays. This way, they can see if you have any lingering decay, chips, or other issues that can quickly be resolved with a filling before your condition worsens and you risk needing a dental crown.

Wear a Mouth Guard

If you constantly clench or grind your teeth, especially while sleeping, you need to wear a mouth guard. Your dentist can design custom mouth guards that are molded to your teeth, so you can stop those bad habits. Otherwise, you risk breaking your teeth or wearing your teeth down to a point they become so sensitive, a crown is the only solution. You should also see your dentist to get fitted for a mouth guard if you play a contact sport, such as soccer or football, to further reduce your risk of cracks and breaks that often require crowns.

Watch What You Eat

You probably already know that sugary foods and beverages can lead to decay. But there are plenty of other "problem foods" that can damage your teeth and risk your chances of breaks and fractures. You should avoid:

• Chewing on ice or hard candy
• Biting into a hard baguette
• Munching on popcorn
• Snacking on sticky dried fruits

These are just some of the hard and sticky foods that are notorious for breaking teeth. If that happens, you're likely going to need a crown.

Get Cavities Filled

If your dentist finds cavities, get them treated right away. The longer you put off getting a filling, the higher the chances that decay is going to continue spreading. If it reaches your root and causes an abscess, you're probably going to need a root canal. Because a root canal involves opening up your tooth, you're likely going to need a crown to cover and protect it. 

While your dentist is happy to get you fitted for a dental crown, they really want you to have optimal oral health and learn to protect your teeth from the get-go.