Your dental bridge is an important part of your smile, as it helps to fill any gaps between your teeth for an optimal appearance. Of course, to keep your dental bridge looking great and functioning properly, you’ll want to regularly follow some simple tips that dentists and experts alike have provided for taking care of it.
The most crucial tips for taking care of your dental bridge revolve around regular maintenance and a few dietary changes. Ideally, you’ll want to clean your dental bridge at least twice a day using various dental products and prevent unnecessary damage by avoiding certain hard foods.
In this article, we will discuss these tips for taking care of your dental bridge in more detail. As you read, you’ll learn what dental products and techniques are best for cleaning and maintaining your dental bridge, what foods you might want to avoid for your dental bridge’s protection, and what other actions you can take to keep your bridge in optimal condition and your smile as healthy as possible!
Top Tips for Taking Care of Your Dental Bridge
So, you’ve left Dentist Markham or your local dentist’s office with a brand-new dental bridge sitting comfortably in your mouth. While it might be tempting to take this artificial fixture for granted, you’ll need to take care of it just as much as the rest of your teeth and any other dental restorations (ex. crowns & bridges, fillings) for the sake of their longevity and your dental health.
According to experts, there are only four simple but effective tips you need to know about for taking care of your dental bridge. These include:
- Cleaning your teeth and dental bridge twice daily
- Use floss, antibacterial mouthwash, and other dental products to ensure a deep clean
- Avoiding eating/chewing hard foods or objects
- Visiting your dentist regularly
If you can keep these four things in mind and perform them consistently, then we guarantee you’ll have a dental bridge that not only provides a superb smile and comfort but will also outlast any poorly maintained dental bridge by several years.
That being said, here is some additional information regarding these tips that we think you should know to best care for your dental bridge.
Clean Twice a Day
This is a tip that everyone should be following regardless of whether they have a dental bridge, but once you have one, you must include two cleaning sessions in your daily routine.
Ideally, you should be brushing your teeth and cleaning your dental bridge once in the morning (after your first meal is often best) and then once at night after your last meal.
The point of this is to clear as many bacteria and food remnants from your dental bridge and mouth as possible, to ensure they don’t break down tooth enamel around your dental bridge or the dental bridge’s materials themselves.
Use Dental Cleaning Tools and Products
Having a quality toothbrush is always important for your daily dental cleanings, but sometimes these tools can only do so much.
For a deep clean, it is recommended that individuals with dental bridges also use floss and antibacterial mouthwash during their morning and afternoon cleaning sessions.
Floss is best for getting into the little nooks and crevices between your teeth to clean out even the smallest remnants. However, because dental bridges Markham are attached to your teeth, you might find ordinary floss difficult to use. In these cases, it is best to use a specialized flossing tool, such as an interdental brush, floss threader, or super floss.
Antibacterial mouthwash will significantly reduce the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth that could damage your dental bridge or teeth. Pairing this with fluoride toothpaste will yield even greater results.
Avoid Hard Foods and Objects
Although dental bridges are expertly positioned in your mouth for optimal security, it is possible to damage them or even knock them loose by chewing hard or excessively sticky foods. This is especially important if your dental bridge is new and still adhering to your teeth.
When possible, it is best to avoid the food items below for the sake of your dental bridge:
- Gum
- Ice
- Raw vegetables
- Nuts
- Popcorn kernels
- Caramel
In addition to these items, many experts recommend people avoid foods that are high in sugar, as this can cause decay, and foods served at abnormally high or low temperatures, such as ice cream or hot drinks, as dental bridges might cause tooth sensitivity that is aggravated by extreme temperatures.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Last but not least, the final tip we have for you is to visit your dentist regularly. This is for two reasons. First, your dentist will provide you with a deep and thorough cleaning of all your teeth and your dental bridge. This will remove any plaque build-up or other remnants you might be missing in your daily cleanings.
Secondly, your dentist will have a different view of your dental bridge, allowing them to see if everything is in optimal condition or if additional steps need to be taken for the sake of your dental bridge and health. Visiting them regularly will help ensure they notice these things before any issues progress to a more serious level.
Final Thoughts
Dental bridges are relatively easy to take care of, requiring little more than regular cleaning and avoidance of potentially dangerous foods. As long as you follow the tips listed above, you should have no problems keeping your dental bridge in perfect condition. To learn more about caring for your dental bridges, get in touch with Markham Dentist, Dr. Afshin Riazi at Greensborough Dental in Markham, Ontario. Call (905) 209-7222 for an appointment our dedicated team will gladly assist you!