How to Care for Your Dental Bridge After Placement

Dental experts always recommend replacing lost teeth as soon as possible. A dental bridge is an ideal solution to replace your lost teeth, particularly if you are missing several teeth adjacent to each other. A tooth bridge is a fixed, custom-made dental prosthesis used to replace one or more missing teeth.

It consists of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) anchored to the adjacent teeth with dental crowns or frameworks. You can also anchor a bridge to a dental implant for stability and strength. They effectively restore oral function and aesthetics, allowing you to eat, speak, and laugh confidently. Visit our dental office for dental bridges near you.

Caring for Your Dental Bridges After Placement

While a dental bridge can last for many years, proper dental care and maintenance are essential to ensure its long-term success and prevent complications. Use the tips below to care for your bridge and mouth to ensure optimal oral function and health:

• Cleaning Your Bridge 

Good oral hygiene is essential to ensure the long-term success of your dental bridge and promote overall oral health.

• Brushing: Experts recommend brushing your teeth at least twice daily, for about two minutes at a time. It helps remove bacteria and food debris around the bridge and mouth, lowering your risk of oral infections. Ensure you use a soft-bristled brush and avoid abrasive toothpaste and mouthwashes.

Please pay attention to the area where the bridge meets the gum line, as it’s more prone to plaque accumulation. An interdental brush is more effective for cleaning the sides of the pontic and abutment teeth. Fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash can help remineralize and strengthen your teeth, making them less vulnerable to fractures and decay.

• Flossing: Flossing is also an essential part of your oral hygiene. It helps remove bacteria and plaque deep between teeth and under the bridge where a toothbrush can’t reach. You can use a water floss, floss threader, or specialized bridge floss to clean effectively between the abutment teeth and under the pontic. These areas are susceptible to plaque accumulation and can cause gum disease and tooth decay.
• Mouthwash: Rinsing your mouth regularly, especially after food, can help eliminate bacteria and reduce plaque accumulation around the bridge and teeth. Be sure to avoid abrasive rinses and consider a fluoride or antimicrobial mouthwash.
• Watch your diet 

A proper diet is vital in keeping your teeth and bridges in excellent condition. As far as your diet is concerned, keep in mind the following tips:

• Eat softer foods. While bridges are relatively strong and durable, significant pressure can cause them to break or loosen, reducing their efficiency. Therefore, avoid hard, chewy, or crunchy items like chewing hard food items like ice and hard candy.
• Limit sugary and acidic items. Sugary or acidic items like soda, sweets, and candy increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which can compromise your oral health and the lifespan of your bridge.
• Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. Foods rich in essential nutrients like calcium, phosphorous, and vitamin D promote stronger and healthier gums, which are vital to maintaining a healthy bridge. Ensure your diet is rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains, and nuts. Avoid processed foods. Also, stay hydrated to prevent a dry mouth.
• Regular dental check-ups

Dental experts recommend visiting your dentist for routine dental checkups every six months. The dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and bridge for potential issues during your visit. If the dentist identifies any problems, they will address them immediately to prevent further complications.

Besides examining your mouth for problems, the dentist will clean your teeth, gums, and around the bridge to remove plaque and tartar buildup. It lowers your risk of tooth decay and gum disease and helps maintain a healthy and strong dental bridge.

• Notify your dentist if something feels wrong 

Your bridge can become loose, uncomfortable, or damaged for various reasons. When this happens, visit your dentist for an evaluation. The dentist will make any necessary adjustments, repairs, or replacements to ensure maximum comfort and longevity of the dental bridge.

• Avoid damaging habits

Harmful habits like teeth grinding or bruxism can cause damage and wear to your bridge and teeth. Wearing a custom mouth guard can help reduce teeth grinding damage to your teeth and bridge. Avoid other damaging habits like smoking and using your teeth as tools.

Are you looking for dental bridges in Fort Atkinson?

Would you like to replace missing teeth and improve your oral function and aesthetics with dental bridges? Contact Rock River Dental to book your consultation with our dentist near you.