How to Maintain a Dental Bridge

Dental bridges are very effective for replacing missing teeth and restoring a fantastic smile. However, maintenance is essential to keep your bridge and natural teeth healthy. The instructions and guidelines in this section will help you immensely to optimize your oral health care.

How can I make my dental bridge last longer?

The lifespans of dental bridges vary. With proper care, it can last many years. To extend the life of your dental bridge, follow these simple tips:

Maintain your oral health by cleaning your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush every morning and night. If oral hygiene is not maintained, food particles and plaque can gather around the gum line and abutment teeth.
With your daily brushing rhythm, make sure to incorporate flossing. For the bridge, use a floss threader to clean underneath and between the abutment teeth.
Be sure to keep up regular dental visits. Visit your dentist at least once every six months to ensure the health of your bridge and natural teeth.
Though it is not a hard rule, try to choose softer foods and avoid putting excessive pressure on your bridge.

How to care for your dental bridge?

Caring for your dental bridge encompasses a combination of oral hygiene practices. The optimal way to care for your dental bridge is to do the following:

keep to daily cleaning and focus on the bridge for a time
use a flossing threader to eliminate plaque
Use mouthwash to reduce bacteria
Set up professional cleanings

Are dental bridges hard to keep clean?

Dental bridges are not hard to keep clean if you follow the steps above. The most important routines for upkeep are brushing your teeth at least twice a day using a flossing threader and giving significant time to the bridges.

Can food get under a dental bridge?

Yes. This is why it is important to use a floss threader. When you fall out of a healthy dental routine, food can get lodged underneath your dental bridge and cause an infection. If not attended to properly, food particles will get trapped in this area. This will not only negatively affect your bridge but can also lead to irritated gums and bad breath.

Can I use mouthwash with a dental bridge?

Using mouthwash when you have a dental bridge is an essential way to keep your oral health optimized. It is best to use a fluoride rinse, specifically, to both clean and strengthen your teeth and gums. It may be necessary to clean and eliminate bacteria from hard-to-reach areas. It will also prevent gum disease and keep tooth decay at bay.

What foods should you avoid with a bridge?

Bridges are tough and mimic your natural teeth. The types of foods you want to avoid are the same as those you should enjoy only in moderation for healthy natural teeth.

The following list should help you avoid foods that may damage your bridge:

Anything with Lots of Sugar: High-sugar foods and drinks can lead to tooth decay, which can impact your remaining natural teeth and the tooth underneath your crown or bridge. Candy, cookies, soda, and even some fruits may need to be limited in your diet.
Sticky Foods: Taffy, gum, and caramel are enemies of dental restorations. Sticky foods may adhere to your crown or bridge and even dislodge them, leading to potentially damaging situations. Sticky foods are not the best choice in general, especially if they are also sugary. The sticky nature of some foods means sugar stays on the surface of teeth and can result in decay.
Hard Foods: Biting down on hard foods can exert excessive pressure on crowns or bridges, possibly leading to cracks or breaks. Ice, nuts, hard candies, and even some crunchy fruits and vegetables should be approached with caution. If you can’t resist, try cutting your snack into smaller pieces before eating.
Avoid Chewing on Non-Food Items: It is no surprise how often we subconsciously chew on non-food items like pens, pencils, or fingernails. Such habits can place unnecessary stress on your dental work and natural teeth and potentially damage them.

Can I use an electric toothbrush if I have a bridge?

You may use an electric toothbrush or a regular toothbrush on the bridge. The bridge is typically made with a metal substructure and baked with porcelain so it can withstand a lot of pressure. Some electric toothbrushes may have a timer that ensures you brush for the recommended two minutes, which ensures you brush enough but not too much to potentially cause damage.

How can you tell if a dental bridge is bad?

There are a few ways you can tell if your dental bridge is bad. A loose dental bridge may cause pain and discomfort. You may feel pain when biting or chewing, noticing increased sensitivity. If your bridge can be moved with your tongue or finger, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. The pain, discomfort, and sensitivity may be a sign of inflammation or infection. If this is not addressed, it can lead to gum recession and issues that may undo the fit initially acquired, negatively affecting the bridge.

Maintain Your Dental Health with AZ Family Dental

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