Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are by far the simplest means of replacing a missing natural tooth. They are ceramic restorations that are custom-fabricated to match the aesthetics of your natural teeth, giving you a more pleasing smile. They also restore oral functionality by allowing you to bite and chew food as you always did with all your teeth intact.

With optimum care, dental bridges last for many years without any hassle. Here are some of the best ways to care for your prosthetic bridges:

• Avoid Unhealthy Oral Habits

Our natural teeth are fixed to the jawbone with the help of tooth roots. Similarly, dental implants are held firmly in place with implant studs that are placed in the jawbone. But this is not the case with dental bridges. They are suspended over the gap left by missing teeth and held in place with the help of dental crowns on either side, along with dental adhesives, which give it the necessary sturdiness. Hence, it is best that you avoid oral habits like tearing open plastic bags or bottle caps with teeth, chewing on pen caps, clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth, etc., as such practices may damage the bridge or skew it out of place.

• Maintain Optimum Oral Hygiene

Regular brushing and flossing of the teeth help to remove a majority of the microbes from the mouth. This keeps microbial accumulation on the teeth to a minimum, which in turn keeps plaque from forming and building up on teeth surfaces. Having plaque removed at Historic Hyde Park Dentistry from time to time eliminates the chances of developing tartar accumulation on the teeth. This ensures better oral health. Also, avoiding plaque keeps the teeth looking whiter.

• Avoid Hot and Cold Foods

Foods and liquids that are hot or cold can cause increased levels of sensitivity. This is especially true in the case of bridges, for which the dentist would prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a thin layer of enamel on which the caps would be attached. This could trigger bouts of sensitivity in the teeth. Also, keeping away from hard and crunchy foods is recommended to ensure the bridge doesn’t sustain damage or get displaced from its ideal position.

We invite you to schedule a consultation with our team of dental experts at Historic Hyde Park Dentistry to get all your oral concerns addressed at the earliest. Please call us at (813) 253-3041 or schedule an online consultation and we’ll be happy to help.