Dental Bridge Recovery and Aftercare
When people are missing a tooth, it can lead to serious issues with the appearance of their smile as well their ability to bite and chew. That’s when getting dental bridges is a good option. Dr. Jean E. Barthman has placed countless bridges at her Redwood City, CA dental practice, allowing patients to experience the joys of a fully functioning smile.
Below we would like to go over some of the basics regarding dental bridges, with a focus on the recovery process once a new bridge is in place and how to properly clean and care for it.
How a Dental Bridge Is Placed
A traditional dental bridge consists of a false tooth that is flanked by two dental crowns. The crowns are designed to cap the real teeth that are adjacent to the tooth gap, giving the false tooth the ability to bite and chew with stability like a natural tooth.
Since crowns are used, there is an adjustment period. Patients will experience some tooth sensitivity as they get used to their new crowns. They must also get accustomed to the feel of their restored bite.
Why Proper Aftercare Matters
Proper aftercare of a dental bridge helps ensure you get accustomed to the bridge as soon as possible. It also means good long-term dental health, with reduced risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and future tooth loss.
We’ll provide more detailed aftercare information during your visit to our Redwood City practice, but the information below should give you a good idea of what the process entails.
Adjusting Your Diet
After you initially get a dental bridge placed, it’s important that you temporarily adjust your diet. Be sure to eat soft foods at first so you don’t struggle with soreness while chewing. Room temperature foods and beverages are ideal to avoid tooth sensitivity around the new crowns.
In addition to crunchy and crispy foods, be sure to avoid sticky and chewy foods as well as any food items that have small seeds or that produce tiny crumbs. This helps ensure your crowns remain in place and that small food particles do not get lodged under them in this initial recovery phase.
Getting Used to Your Bite
On the note of getting used to your bite, it’s a good idea to bite and chew on the opposite side of your mouth from your new dental bridge. This prevents sensitivity while eating in the initial stage of recovery. After a little while, you should be able to bite and chew just fine with your new bridge, but give it time. It could take a few weeks to get accustomed to the dental bridge.
Attending Follow-Up Care Visits
After getting a bridge placed, you will have a few follow-up visits with your dentist to see that the you are adjusting properly to your bridge. Be sure to go to all of these checkups as scheduled, and to attend regular dental checkups every six months for cleanings and x-rays.
Proper Oral Hygiene
To properly clean a dental bridge, be sure to use a non-abrasive gel toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft bristles. This will help you clean off the false tooth and crowns without wearing down the material too quickly. A proxy brush and superfloss can also both be helpful for cleaning the small, hard-to-reach spaces around the false tooth and the crowns.
Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss at least once a night. Ideally, you should brush and floss after every meal.
How Long Will My Bridge Last?
With proper care, your dental bridge should last for around 10 years if not longer. When a new bridge is required, just come back to our Redwood City dental care center. We can determine the ideal replacement option for the bridge to help you have a healthy, fully functional bite.
Learn More About Dental Bridges
For more information about dental bridges and how they can benefit you, be sure to contact a skilled cosmetic and restorative dentist. Dr. Barthman can be reached by phone at (650) 367-4967.