Keeping up with your oral hygiene is the key to good dental health — especially if you have dental work that needs special care. Bridges are a type of dental restoration that replaces a missing tooth and may need a few extra steps to keep it clean. To help you avoid tooth decay and gum disease, here are some easy tips on caring for a dental bridge correctly.
What Is A Dental Bridge?
A fixed dental bridge is used to restore your smile and replace missing teeth. It consists of crowns that fit over your natural teeth with an artificial tooth in between. The artificial tooth fills in the gap created by the missing tooth and stays in place by anchoring to the two natural teeth on either side of it.
If you don’t take care of your dental bridge or follow your dentist’s dental bridge aftercare instructions, you may experience some issues like:
- Food getting stuck under the bridge
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- A loose bridge
- The bridge falling off
Tips On How To Care For A Dental Bridge
Caring for your dental bridge is vital to its longevity and your overall oral health. Because the bridge is attached to your natural teeth, keeping those teeth strong and healthy should be a top priority. Follow these important steps to clean a dental bridge and prevent issues over time:
1. Brush Your Teeth At Least Twice Per Day
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. This is particularly important if you have a dental bridge. Keeping your teeth clean and preventing bacteria buildup will ensure your gums and anchor teeth are healthy. If teeth start to decay, the bridge could shift, loosen, or come out completely.
2. Don’t Skip Flossing
Another way to increase the lifespan of your bridge is to floss every day. Flossing removes food particles and harmful bacteria from between your teeth that could lead to plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. Keeping your teeth clean will help your anchor teeth stay strong and your dental bridge sturdy.
3. Avoid Foods That Could Damage The Dental Bridge
Chewing on hard foods, like candy and nuts, or even chewing on ice, can damage dental bridges. Your dentist may also recommend avoiding sticky foods that could loosen the crowns that hold the bridge in place and acidic foods that may wear away the tooth enamel on the anchor teeth. Ask your dentist what foods you should skip after getting a dental bridge to keep it in optimal shape.
4. Clean Under Your Dental Bridge
Your dentist may also recommend using specialized dental tools to clean the space between the dental bridge’s pontic tooth and your gums. Things like super floss, a floss threader, a Waterpik oral irrigator, or an interdental brush will help remove tiny food particles and bacteria trapped under the bridge.
5. Use A Fluoride Rinse
While a fluoride mouth rinse helps to strengthen your teeth, it can also strengthen your gum line and prevent bacteria from building up around your dental bridge. Several mouthwash options on the market contain fluoride, which is an excellent addition to your oral hygiene routine. Keeping your mouth healthy can help your dental bridge last a little longer.
6. See Your Dentist Regularly
Ensure you see your dentist as often as recommended to stay on top of your oral health. In addition to keeping your teeth clean and catching tooth decay early, a dental professional will check your dental bridge for damage and share insight on how to care for it.
How Long Can A Dental Bridge Last?
The average lifespan of a bridge is between five and 15 years. Taking care of your teeth, keeping the bridge clean, and avoiding things that could damage the bridge will help stretch out the lifespan.
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Can A Dental Bridge Be Removed And Recemented?
Yes, a dental bridge can be removed and reattached. In some cases, your dentist will need to remove the bridge to treat dental issues you’re experiencing under or around it. If the old bridge is damaged during removal, your dentist will either recement it or recommend a new one.
Dental Bridges For A Healthy And Radiant Smile
Are you wondering, “Can I get affordable dental bridges near me?” The answer is yes! If you need a dentist in Las Vegas, Reno, or the surrounding areas, Absolute Dental offers high-quality restorative dental care to strengthen your teeth and give you a smile you can feel good about. We offer different types of dental bridges, as well as tooth implants, dentures, crowns, oral surgery, and orthodontic care.
Contact us to learn more about our restorative and cosmetic services, including tooth implants vs. dental bridges vs. dentures.
Sources:
Dental Bridges. (2023).
Ng, E., et al. (2019). An Overview of Different Interdental Cleaning Aids and Their Effectiveness.