How to Care for Your Dental Bridge

If you have have several missing teeth in a row, your dentist may put in a dental bridge, which is made up of two or more crowns. These crowns, which are typically made of porcelain or ceramic fused to a base metal for added strength, will take the place of the missing teeth and add support for the teeth around them. 

Although dental bridges can be costly even with insurance, they have many benefits. Not only can they restore your smile and give you your confidence back, but they will also make it easier to chew food. They will also prevent the natural teeth that they support from shifting in your mouth, which can cause even more dental issues.

To keep the bridges looking and functioning their best, you will have to maintain them much like you do your natural teeth on a daily basis. If you don't properly care for the crowns, they can loosen and fall out over time, even if they've been securely cemented into place.

Here are some tips for taking care of your dental bridge and crowns:

1. Continue brushing with a fluoride toothpaste at least two times a day. This will protect your natural teeth from cavities and prevent decay from starting around your crowns.

It's also important to thoroughly floss at least once a day to remove any stubborn buildup.  Although the crowns themselves aren't subject to cavities, problems can start in the spaces between them and your natural teeth. 

You can also use a fluoride rinse before bed as an added protection against decay.

2. Continue getting regular dental check-ups, typically every six months. In addition to deep-cleaning all of your natural teeth and crowns, your dentist can detect any issues beginning in your bridge before they become bigger, more expensive problems.

If you notice that any of your crowns are lose or are becoming ill-fitting, make a dental appointment as soon as possible. It will be cheaper for your dentist to fix the issue rather than replace the crowns. 

3. Avoid biting and chewing very hard objects, such as ice, with your crowns to avoid damaging them. The ice's extreme cold temperature can also cause the crowns, as well as your natural teeth, to crack. 

If you have any temporary crowns, which your dentist will put in while your permanent crowns are being fitted for your mouth, avoid chewing sticky objects, such as gum and taffy, as well. 

For more tips on how to care for your dental bridges, talk to a dentist like those at Gordon Dental.