Getting a dental bridge or a same-day dental bridge can be a time-consuming and costly procedure. Thus, you most likely want to keep your bridge in good condition for as long as possible. In this article, we list the most essential care tips for your dental bridge.
Care Tips for Your Dental Bridge
The most crucial point in taking care of any dental restoration, including a dental bridge, is to maintain an immaculate oral hygiene routine. This way, you will avoid bad breath that can be caused by bacteria lingering underneath the bridge, gum disease, and tooth decay of the surrounding teeth. Here are some dental hygiene tips for people who have dental bridges:
Hygiene Tips
Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
You should brush your teeth in the morning and before bed for at least two minutes, making sure to clean well around the bridge and in other hard-to-reach areas in the mouth. Even though it is artificial, the bridge itself cannot get cavities, so proper brushing is still of paramount importance. Removing food particles, bacteria, and plaque from your teeth on a regular basis will help you avoid cavities in the teeth supporting the bridge, as well as gum disease that can also undermine the stability of the teeth.
In addition, thoroughly brushing your teeth and your dental restoration will help you avoid staining and discoloration of the bridge material. Thus, you will be able to enjoy its initial appearance for a longer time.
Use a Fluoride Toothpaste and Rinse
Fluoride is a great ingredient that helps strengthen the enamel of your teeth and also fights off bacteria in the mouth and restrains their growth. Thus, by using dental products containing fluoride, you can maintain better oral health in general and ensure solid support for your dental bridge.
Floss Every Evening and Clean Underneath Your Dental Bridge
Flossing your teeth helps remove food particles and plaque between your teeth that can not be removed with a toothbrush. When flossing, pay particular attention to cleaning around and underneath the bridge. This will help avoid bad breath and prevent gum inflammation underneath the bridge.
If flossing proves challenging, try using special tools, such as floss threaders or interdental brushes. Also, adding a water flosser to your routine can be advantageous for boosting its effectiveness, especially when it comes to cleaning around the bridge and along the gumline.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly for Checkups and Professional Cleanings
It might prove challenging to brush and floss effectively with a dental bridge and to completely avoid plaque buildup around it. Also, almost all of us have hard-to-reach areas in the mouth, where plaque and bacteria tend to accumulate. For these reasons, we recommend you visit your dentist every 6 months for professional cleanings and checkups. Using special tools, your dentist will be able to thoroughly and effectively remove the plaque, thus preventing it from turning into tartar in the future.
Other Dental Bridge Care Tips
It is also important to take good care of the material your dental restoration is made of to prevent scratches, cracks, and other physical damage that will shorten the longevity of your dental bridge. Follow these rules to ensure that your dental bridge serves you as long as possible:
Use a Nonabrasive Toothpaste
Abrasive toothpastes contain particles that can create micro scratches on the surface of your dental crown, leading to staging and discoloration. Avoid such toothpaste to preserve the appearance of your dental restoration.
Avoid Whitening Solutions
Typically, whitening solutions are not compatible with ceramics, composite, or other materials your crown might be made of. By using such solutions, you risk damaging the surface of the crown and the enamel of your natural teeth, making them more susceptible to bacteria.
Avoid Hard and Crunchy Foods and Do Not Use Your Teeth as Tools
Hard and crunchy foods or using your teeth as tools can cause your crown to break or crack and need to be replaced, which means having to undergo costly procedures.
Avoid Staining Foods and Beverages
Staining foods and beverages that can lead to discoloration of your crown include red wine, berries, beetroot, drinks, and sweets containing dye, etc. If you consume such products, rinse your mouth or brush your teeth immediately after that.
Make an Appointment Today
Do not hesitate to make an appointment at our office today to get excellent quality dental bridges in Upland. Our dental restoration solutions are comfortable and reliable and will serve you for years to come. We are looking forward to your visit to My Dentist Upland.