Have you recently had a dental bridge fitted onto your teeth? You’re likely already enjoying relief from the challenges caused by one or more missing teeth. To enjoy these benefits for much longer, you need to care for your dental bridge. In this blog, our Pearland dentist shares some of the best tips to maintain your dental bridge and keep it healthy for years.
Brush Your Teeth Daily
A dental bridge has artificial teeth to replace the missing gap, but it doesn’t mean you can skip cleaning it. It needs just as much care as your natural teeth do, in fact, even more so.
Only use a soft-bristle toothbrush. While brushing your teeth, hold the brush at a 45-degree angle, pointing towards your gums. Don’t rush it. Take your time while brushing.
Pay extra attention to where the bridge meets your natural teeth and gums, as plaque tends to accumulate in these areas.
Don’t Skip Flossing
This is the part many people find challenging. Patients in Pearland often ask us how they can floss their dental bridge, because all the artificial teeth are fused to one another.
It’s definitely a little challenging, but all it takes is a little practice. We suggest using a floss threader to glide the floss underneath the bridge. It becomes easier to clean the area under the bridge this way.
If conventional flossing is too hard for you, you can opt for a water flosser.
Use Antibacterial Mouthwash
Another step that can greatly help improve the lifespan of your dental bridge is using an antibacterial mouthwash. It helps reduce bacteria in areas that may be difficult to clean with brushing and flossing alone.
Get a recommendation from our dentist on which mouthwash you should use and how frequently.
Avoid Certain Types of Foods
You can easily eat various foods with a bridge that you couldn’t enjoy before because of missing teeth. But there are still a few types of foods you should try to limit or avoid.
These include hard foods (like nuts and popcorn kernels) and sticky foods (chewing gum, caramel, sticky candies).
Limit sugary and acidic foods to help protect the supporting teeth around your bridge and reduce the risk of decay.
Be Mindful of Your Habits
Your dental bridge may not last too long if you grind your teeth (bruxism), bite your nails, or chew on things that aren’t food, such as a pen or pencil. If you grind or clench your teeth, your dentist may recommend a custom nightguard to help protect your bridge.
See Your Dentist Regularly
This is a very important part of your dental bridge maintenance. Keep up with your biannual dental checkups and cleanings. We also check how well the bridge is functioning. If there are any problems, we can address them at the right time.
Summing Up
With good oral hygiene and regular dental care, many dental bridges last 10 to 15 years or even longer. If you’re thinking about getting a dental bridge, consult our dental experts at Anh B. Dao, DDS & Associate today. Call us at (281) 992-7000 to book an appointment.