A bridge can be a great option for replacing missing teeth. With the right care, a bridge can last the rest of your lifetime. But just what is "the right care?" Thankfully, it's not too complicated. Here's how to care for your teeth and mouth after getting a dental bridge.
Brush twice a day.
Yes, you should be brushing your teeth twice a day whether or not you have a dental bridge. But when you have a bridge, it is even more important to brush consistently and thoroughly. Even though the bridge can't develop cavities like a real tooth, food debris and bacteria will tend to collect around the bridge, which can lead to gum disease and damage to the neighboring teeth. If the neighboring teeth become damaged or weak, there will be nothing to hold your bridge in place — so your bridge depends on you keeping these teeth healthy.
Carry floss with you.
Usually, people can get away with just flossing once a day. But if you have a dental bridge, you really need to bring floss with you so that you can use it whenever something gets stuck around your bridge. This unfortunately can happen quite often, especially when you are first getting used to the bridge. Flossing to remove the food material is a lot safer than using a toothpick or some other device. Choose extra-thin floss, as this is the easiest to maneuver around the bridge.
Steer clear of sticky and really crunchy foods.
You will be able to eat most foods with a bridge. However, you should steer clear of anything overly sticky, like caramels, and anything that is very crunchy, like hard candy. If you break the bridge, you can have it replaced, but it's best to avoid that if possible. There is also the worry that you'll chip the teeth that the bridge is attached to, making it harder to keep a bridge attached to those teeth.
Keep your dentist appointments.
Even now that your teeth have been replaced, you absolutely need to keep seeing the dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months (or as often as your dentist recommends.) Professional cleanings help ensure the teeth your bridge is anchored to don't develop cavities. Also, if you do have a problem with your bridge or the neighboring teeth, your dentist will notice ASAP.
Caring for dental bridges is about the same as caring for real teeth, but with a few nuances. Keep the guidance above in mind, and you should be golden. You can find some additional info at this link.
Share15 July 2020
Being born with naturally soft teeth, I've spent a lot of time in and out of the dentist's office. Not only have I learned a lot about basic dental care, I've also discovered many tips for dealing with broken teeth, extractions, implants, and more. I decided that I wanted to make the most of my experience by sharing what I've learned with others. True first-hand experience is a great teacher, and I knew that my story could help. I created this site to do just that, and I hope that the information here helps you to understand what to expect from your dental problems.