How to Take Care of Your Dental Bridges

How to Take Care of Your Dental Bridges

Find out the best ways to maintain strong, functional dental bridges for years.

You finally decided to say goodbye to your tooth loss and choose to get a dental bridge. Having a healthy new smile can be quite the dental bridgesconfidence booster for anyone. Your Charlotte family dentists Dr. Susan Hockaday and Dr. Jim Baucom hope you are happy with your new look and in order to keep your smile healthy it’s important to properly care for your dental bridges so they last.

Don’t chew ice: Dental crowns and bridges are usually made from ceramic, which is durable and strong, but just like regular teeth, if there is enough pressure or force placed on the dental work it will fracture. Avoid activities like chewing ice or opening bottles with your teeth, which can greatly increase your chances of damaging your dental bridge.

Brush your dental bridge every day: Just because your crowns and bridges are artificial doesn’t mean they don’t require the proper oral care. You need to brush your dental work every day to prevent plaque and tartar buildup from forming. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, which is soft on your dental work but tough on build-up.

Floss meticulous: Flossing is a vitally important component to any oral care routine, and it’s just as important that you clean between teeth and into the gums so that decay or gum disease doesn’t develop between your natural teeth and your dental work. Floss every day and preferably before you brush to really get your mouth sufficiently clean.

Use a fluoride rinse: While the main purpose of the dental crown is to restore strength and function back into the crown of the tooth that lies above the gum line, special care should also be taken to care for the actual gum line to prevent bacteria and plaque buildup in this region. While brushing and flossing is imperative, opting for a fluoride rinse or toothpaste with a high fluoride content will give your smile a little extra boost against decay. This step is particularly important for those who are at risk for developing high amounts of dental decay or those who have gum disease.

In the beginning, you may notice a slight sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures once you get your bridge. Talk to your Charlotte dentists about which sensitivity toothpaste could help reduce this symptom.

Besides caring for your smile at home, you still need to keep up with six-month dental cleanings and exams with your Charlotte family dentists. We can check that your dental bridge is fitting properly and that everything is healthy. Call Hockaday & Baucom to schedule your next visit.