How to Maintain your Dental Bridge

What Is A Dental Bridge And What Does It Do 

A dental bridge is a set of artificial teeth made of metal or biocompatible materials like ceramic or porcelain that replaces a row of missing teeth lost through accident or decay. The bridge, which looks and feels almost identical to real teeth, restores the wearer’s smile and chewing capabilities. However, the bridge requires the tooth on either side to be reshaped. This allows the bridge to bond with adjacent teeth and to solidly remain in place. 

Dental bridges should not be confused with dentures. Though both devices serve similar purposes, bridges are semi-permanent fixtures with the potential to last more than 15 years. Bridges are also different from dental implants. Whereas implants aim to replace one missing tooth, bridges are better for replacing a row of missing teeth at a lower cost. 

Taking Care Of Your Dental Bridge 

While a dental bridge can do wonders to your oral health and smile, it is not an implement you can have placed in your mouth and forget about. To get the most of out of your dental bridge, you will have to do some basic maintenance, including:

Brushing your teeth twice a day: Just because the teeth are artificial does not mean you can get away with not brushing them. Plaque and tartar can still accumulate around the gum line, which can lead to infection and disease. Furthermore, brushing also helps ensure the health of adjacent teeth. If these decay and need to be repaired, your dental bridge will have to be changed as well.

Avoid whitening toothpastes as they can damage the surface of your dental bridge. 

Floss your real teeth at least once every day: Flossing is important for similar reasons. While your dental bridge is technically not affected by the buildup of bacteria, it is still reliant on your overall oral health. Your dental bridge cannot do its job properly if the surrounding teeth are decaying.

Clean your dental bridge after brushing your teeth: Although the artificial teeth that make up the dental bridge are tightly joined, plaque and bacteria can still get around and underneath them. If not removed, these particles can result in gum disease.

Because the artificial teeth are tightly bonded, you will need special tools to clean your dental bridge. A floss threader is a noose-like filament that attaches to dental floss, allowing it to get under the dental bridge. An interdental brush is also effective for cleaning the bridge’s undersides. 

Do not skip your routine checkups: Having a dental bridge in your mouth makes your biannual visits to the dentist that more important. Checkups are perfect opportunities for your dentist to assess the health of your adjacent teeth and to make sure your bridge is not loose or damaged.

Why You Should Clean Your Dental Bridge 

A dental bridge can be an excellent substitute for missing teeth. It can do anything real teeth can do, and it probably beats them in terms of aesthetics too! However, a dental bridge does require some commitment to basic oral hygiene on your part. After all, its effectiveness heavily depends on the health of your teeth and gums, which will be tasked with holding the bridge in place. 

Whether you are considering a biocompatible dental bridge or wanting to learn more about taking care of your existing bridge, Dr. Korol Dental is the place to go for all your dental services. Schedule an appointment with our holistic dentists by calling 403-245-9099 or by filling out the online contact form.

FAQs

Q: Does the placement of dental bridges hurt?
A: The process of affixing a dental bridge in your mouth should not be painful. A local anesthesia is applied to numb all discomfort. You may experience some sensitivity after the procedure, however.   

Q: What is a partial dental bridge?
A: A partial dental bridge consists of artificial teeth attached to a gum-coloured plastic base. It can be removed at any time and can be a suitable alternative if your remaining teeth are not strong enough to support a full dental bridge. 

Q: Can dental bridges be repaired?
A: Yes. Your dentist can repair your dental bridge. Book your dental checkup at Dr. Korol Dental today!