How to Take Care of Your Dental Bridge

When you lose a tooth, you have options to replace it. You can get dentures, but many people report that they come with a steep learning curve. Because they’re removable, they can move around in your mouth, making it hard to eat and talk.

Or, you can get a dental implant, which roots the tooth in your jawbone. The problem with that option is the process: getting an implant takes months and requires surgery.

Dental bridges provide a happy middle ground. They’re anchored firmly in your mouth, so they don’t come with the fiddliness of dentures. But there’s no invasive procedure required to get a bridge. 

If you decide this kind of replacement tooth is right for you, we can help in two ways. First, Nisha Modi, DMD, offers bridges right here at Miracle Smile Dental in Aubrey, Texas. Secondly, she and our team have some tips to help you take care of the bridge. 

How to clean your dental bridge

Fortunately, your to-dos here are pretty similar to the requirements with your natural teeth. 

Brush and floss normally (although you won’t be able to floss between your bridge and your abutment teeth — that’s fine). Choose a nonabrasive toothpaste to help protect your bridge.

The only difference with a bridge is that you need to clean under it. You can use tiny brushes — commonly referred to as interproximal brushes, proxabrushes, or interdental brushes — to get underneath the bridge.  Dr. Modi can help you find the right option to clean under your bridge and show you how to use it. 

Tips to help your bridge last longer

On average, dental bridges usually last about a decade. However, you can help your bridge last even longer when you properly care for the bridge and take other steps.

Specifically, you want to avoid chewing on hard things with your bridge. That includes:

• Hard candy
• Ice
• Pens and pen caps
• Fingernails

Chewy and sticky foods can dislodge your bridge, especially if you enjoy a lot of them. If you love something like beef jerky or taffy, try to chew it on the opposite side of your mouth from your bridge. 

Smoking hurts your oral health in several ways and can stain or otherwise compromise your bridge. If you’ve been looking for an added reason to quit, this is it. 

Visit Dr. Modi every six months for your routine dental checkup. At each appointment, she can inspect your bridge and provide additional care to preserve it. 

We’re here to partner with you to fill the gap in your smile and help your replacement tooth last as long as possible. To discuss dental bridges or other replacement teeth options with Dr. Modi, use our convenient online scheduling tool to book an appointment or contact us at 469-765-3567 today.