Getting a dental bridge is a significant step toward restoring your smile and improving your oral health. Whether you’re missing a tooth or need an extraction, bridges could help prevent worsening dental conditions. Understanding how to properly care for your dental bridge is essential for ensuring its longevity and maintaining your overall dental hygiene.
Understanding Your Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth between two crowns placed on the natural teeth or implants adjacent to the gap. While dental bridges are strong and durable, they require proper care to function effectively and look natural over time. The bridge itself does not decay, but the supporting teeth and surrounding gums are still vulnerable to plaque, bacteria, and other issues if neglected.
Prioritizing Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is the most critical aspect of aftercare. Brushing twice a day and flossing once daily remains essential. However, with a dental bridge, extra attention is needed to clean under the bridge and around the abutment teeth (the teeth supporting the bridge). Regular brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste will help keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean.
Flossing around a bridge requires a slightly different technique. Since traditional floss can’t pass between the artificial tooth and the gum, using a floss threader, interdental brush, or water flosser can help clean under the bridge effectively. This step is vital to prevent plaque buildup and gum disease, which could compromise the stability of your bridge.
Watching Your Diet
After getting a dental bridge, it’s important to be mindful of your eating habits, especially in the days following the procedure. Stick to softer foods until you’re comfortable chewing again. Once healed, avoid very hard, sticky, or chewy foods that could damage the bridge or pull on the supporting teeth. Chewing on both sides of your mouth helps distribute pressure evenly and prevents excess strain on one area.
Sugar and acidic foods should also be consumed in moderation, as they can promote decay in the supporting teeth and lead to other oral health issues. Drinking plenty of water and rinsing your mouth after meals can also help wash away food particles and maintain a clean environment around the bridge.
Regular Dental Checkups
Even with excellent at-home care, regular visits to your dentist are crucial. Your dentist will monitor the condition of your dental bridge, check the health of the supporting teeth and gums, and perform professional cleanings to reach areas you might miss at home. If there are early signs of problems, such as gum inflammation or damage to the bridge, catching them early can prevent more serious complications.
Your dentist may also recommend periodic X-rays to assess the internal structure around your bridge. These appointments are typically every six months, but your dentist may suggest more frequent visits if you’re at higher risk for dental issues.
Paying Attention to Signs of Trouble
After the initial recovery, your dental bridge should feel natural and stable. If you begin to experience discomfort, sensitivity, or notice movement in the bridge, it’s important to schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible. Other red flags include persistent bad breath, swelling, or bleeding around the bridge. These can be signs of gum disease or decay in the supporting teeth and should be addressed promptly.
Protecting Your Investment
A dental bridge is an investment in your health and confidence. To protect it, avoid using your teeth as tools to open packaging or bite non-food objects, which can damage the bridge or surrounding teeth. If you grind your teeth at night, talk to your dentist about a night guard, as grinding can put undue pressure on the bridge and cause it to fail prematurely.
Dental Bridge Treatment in Lexington, KY
At Complete Dentistry for All Ages, we understand the importance of a complete bite. If you have missing teeth, a dental bridge could help restore your smile and improve your quality of life. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your treatment options for tooth loss.