Precautions To Avoid Problems With Your Dental Bridge
If you have lost one or more teeth, your dentist may be suggesting a fixed porcelain bridge. These bridges are made of dental ceramic material that can be matched to the color of your other teeth to make the appliance look completely natural.
The bridge consists of the false tooth or teeth that will fill the gap in your mouth, along with two attached dental crowns that rest on each end of the appliance. The crowns are designed to hold the porcelain bridge in position. They are permanently bonded to natural teeth or dental implants for stabilization.
The results of a bridge restoration are usually aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. However, in order to avoid problems with your bridge, it is important to take certain precautions. Here are a few of them:
Don't chew on hard substances.
If you have a habit of chewing on ice or the tips of pens, your dental bridge may become damaged. The porcelain of the bridge is certainly hard enough to withstand typical bite pressure. However, if you are biting on objects or substances that are unusually hard, your bridge can chip or break, just as your natural teeth can.
If you have a habit of chewing on hard items throughout the day, select a stick of sugarless gum in your favorite flavor and chew on that instead. Not only will the gum help keep your teeth clean, but it can also quell your need to chew on something else.
If you grind your teeth at night, use a mouthguard.
There are many people who suffer from nightly episodes of teeth grinding. Often, they do not even realize that the grinding is taking place because it occurs when they are sleeping. Still, a dentist is often able to identify a grinding habit by the state of the teeth.
If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, it is important to wear a mouthguard every night. The grinding can chip or crack your porcelain bridge and even loosen supporting teeth.
Brush your bridge as you would your natural teeth.
Brushing your dental bridge is important. Although porcelain cannot incur cavities or tooth decay, it can accumulate plaque. Since your bridge lies adjacent to other teeth as well as to your gums, it is important to remove harmful substances, such as plaque, from the appliance's surfaces.
In addition to brushing, be sure to floss the area between the false teeth and your gum line, since plaque buildup in this area can cause gum inflammation.
To learn more about the proper care of your fixed dental bridge, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your area, or check out websites like http://www.SeattleRainbowSmiles.com.