After-Care Instructions Following Dental Bridge Placement

After you have a missing tooth, you first wonder how your smile looks like before visiting the emergency dentist near me to learn how the consequences of tooth loss soon affect you. The missing tooth doesn’t just affect your smile but also affects your oral health because it causes your remaining teeth to shift position towards the blank space it left behind. Your teeth in the opposite jaw also moved upward or downward towards the vacant space to create misalignments in your bite. The dentist recommends that you consider getting a dental bridge to bridge the gap between your teeth and avert the consequences of tooth loss.

Dental bridges are artificial teeth anchored in place by a dental crown. Often the Pontic is flanked by two dental crowns on both sides. The placement of the dental crowns happens on the adjacent teeth next to the missing teeth. The crown fits over the tooth neighboring the missing tooth. The artificial tooth of the bridge closes the gap in your mouth to function as a replacement tooth.

Are Dental Bridges Popular?

Many people have received dental bridges and are perfectly happy with the way they managed to bridge the gaping hole in their smile while benefiting by avoiding the unwanted consequences of tooth loss comfortably. As teeth replacement solutions, many patients seek dental bridges from the dentist in Westwood, NJ, but often inquire about what to expect after dental bridge placement. This article provides some information on what you can expect when getting dental bridges and how to care for them to prolong their longevity.

Adjusting to Dental Bridges

Essentially you must adjust to dental bridges because you may notice some changes in your mouth after dental bridge placement. You may experience tooth sensitivity because dental bridge placement requires preparing your existing teeth for placing the dental crown. Initially, you experience soreness when biting down, speech impediments, and changes in the way your bite feels. The changes are temporary during the adjustment period after you undergo dental bridge placement.

How Much Time Do You Require to Adjust?

You may require about two weeks to adjust to the new placement in your mouth. You notice improvements with each passing day as you get accustomed to the presence of the dental bridge gradually.

Dealing with Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is natural and standard after getting dental bridges. To overcome tooth sensitivity, dentists recommend the following:

• You must avoid scorching hot foods or freezing cold foods because these temperatures can trigger tooth sensitivity. Consider having lukewarm foods or foods and beverages stored at room temperature after getting a dental bridge placed.
• You must avoid crunchy and hard foods because the pressure on the dental bridge can cause pain. To limit the stress, you can have soft foods. You must avoid hard, chewy, and crunchy foods until you become accustomed to the bridge placement.
• Using toothpaste for sensitive teeth when cleaning your teeth and the dental bridge helps during the initial days after placement. Request for recommendations from the dentist for a toothpaste created to prevent sensitivity.
• If the discomfort after dental bridge placement is intolerable, you can consider having over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate the pain.

Adequately Cleaning Your Dental Bridge

Cleaning your dental bridge is not a considerable challenge and is similar to your regular oral hygiene routine. It would be best if you brushed your teeth at least twice a day and after every meal. Flossing your teeth at least once a day or after every meal is ideal.

Dental bridges require cleaning around them and beneath the artificial tooth to ensure you don’t allow food and plaque to accumulate and cause gum disease. Requesting your dentist for recommendations for dental tools to clean beneath the dental bridges and to ensure you avoid gum disease before it makes its presence felt.

Six monthly dental visits are also essential for exams and cleanings. The dentist ensures any or all plaque buildup on your teeth and the dental bridges are eliminated to leave you with fresh breath and better oral health.

When cared for appropriately, dental bridges last for over a decade. Mindfulness about your dental health helps prolong the dental bridge’s life, leaving you with the artificial tooth longer than expected.