Can The Teeth Holding Your Dental Bridge Become Damaged?

You made the right choice by replacing your consecutive missing teeth with a dental bridge. However, just like with your natural teeth, it’s important to properly maintain your restoration to extend its lifespan keep your oral health on track. Without regular care, it’s possible for your existing teeth that are anchoring your bridge in place to fail due to being affected by common oral health problems like cavities and gum disease. Read on to learn what could cause your bridge to fail and when to know you need to see an emergency dentist in Longview. 

Caring For a Dental Bridge

One great benefit of getting a dental bridge is that it’s relatively easy to care for. There’s no need to make drastic changes to your daily life, but it is important to be mindful of items and objects you’re putting in your mouth and how they could potentially cause damage. When you first have your restoration placed, your dentist in Longview will discuss daily maintenance instructions with you. Typically, these tasks include:

• Brushing twice every day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
• Flossing between each of your teeth at least once a day.
• Maintaining a nutritious diet by being mindful of sugar and carbohydrate intake.
• Rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash daily.
• Visiting your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning.

Common Reasons For Bridge Failure

The average dental bridge can last for up to 15 years with the proper daily care and zero complications. However, they can fail due to a variety of issues that stem from an irregular dental hygiene routine. Here are some common causes that could result in your bridge needing to be replaced or repaired:

• Irregular brushing and flossing can lead to plaque, tartar, and harmful oral bacteria buildup. These substances all play primary roles in the formation of oral health problems such as cavities and tooth infections. Even though your artificial teeth won’t be affected by these issues, the natural teeth that they’re anchored to can.
• Bad oral habits such as nail biting, using tobacco, and teeth grinding can all cause excessive wear-and-tear on your restoration, causing the structure to fail.
• Eating certain foods that are high in sugars and carbohydrates can impact the health of your gums as well as your teeth. Without regular dental hygiene, this diet could lead to the formation of gum disease, which can cause symptoms such as tooth loss.

Know When It’s Time To Visit Your Dentist

As soon as you notice any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms in the area of your mouth where your bridge is located, immediately contact your emergency dentist. Your natural teeth that are anchoring the bridge can become severely decayed or even infected, in which case, they may require a root canal in Longview to restore your oral health. The best way to find out is to have your mouth professionally examined. With timely care and routine maintenance, you should be able to avoid any complications with your restoration in the future.

About the Author

Dr. George Stoddard has over 25 years of experience in dentistry. He is passionate about helping his patients who have been affected by missing teeth restore the function and appearance of their smile through providing high-quality restorations. He takes pride in offering completely customized dental restorations that perfectly fit his patient’s needs and improve their overall quality of life. He also offers same-day denture repairs and relines. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Longview Dental Center’s website or call 903-753-9758.