Life with a Dental Bridge: Tips for Eating, Cleaning, and Long-Term Care

A dental bridge offers a natural-looking way to replace a missing tooth. If you’re new to life with a dental bridge, you may wonder how to best care for it. It’s an investment in your health, so maintaining it is critical. If something happens to your bridge, you may need emergency dental care in Indianapolis, IN.

What You Can Eat

The first consideration is diet. You can eat most of the same foods you’ve been enjoying for most of your life. You should avoid extra sticky foods like taffy, though. Also, hard, crunchy foods like nuts can cause damage to the bridge.

The best approach for eating with a dental bridge is to take small bites at a time. Cut the meat into small pieces to reduce the risk of damage and make it easier to chew. Also, take your time and chew the food thoroughly.

Opt for food that is not too hot or too cold. If you do eat something like ice cream, eat it slowly. This will allow you to minimize potential discomfort. Over time, your mouth will adjust to the dental bridge, and you can worry less about sensitivity.

Keeping It Clean

You’ll want to give your dental bridge the same care you give to all your teeth in your mouth. Brush at least twice a day, focusing on the prosthetic tooth or teeth in the bridge, the surrounding natural teeth, and the gumline.

You’ll also want to floss at least once a day. Pay attention to the area around and under the bridge to ensure you remove all debris. Flossing with threaders or interdental brushes is often the best approach.

Use an antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce plaque buildup around the bridge. This will keep that area free from bacteria that cause plaque.

Finally, make regular appointments with your dentist in Indianapolis, IN, to ensure the bridge remains stable.