Tips for Dental Bridge Recovery and Aftercare

Maintaining proper oral health and hygiene is of prime importance. There is no doubt that people are well aware of the basic practices that help them in maintaining proper dental hygiene. Things like brushing and flossing twice a day along with eating habits play a vital role in the appearance of your teeth.

Nevertheless, at times despite following best practices certain dental issues do crop up that often leads to loss of a tooth or teeth. When you lose a tooth or teeth it creates a gap in between your teeth. Sometimes the gap between your teeth is also natural and looks a bit disappointing.

There are various ways to deal with this gap and one of the most popular procedures is through dental bridges. The dental bridge is a false tooth that is anchored in place by a dental crown, often bookended by crowns. The crown fits over a tooth beside the tooth gap, allowing the crown to fit snugly over an existing tooth.

The false tooth of the bridge fills the gap left behind by a missing tooth. Most people have varying queries when it comes to dental bridges and seek expert opinions for recovery and aftercare. Here in this article, we will discuss the tips for dental bridge recovery & aftercare.

Adjusting to a dental bridge

The procedure of installing a dental bridge involves prepping an existing tooth and filling a tooth gap and patients might experience some changes in their mouth. The changes include tooth sensitivity, change in mouthfeel, soreness when biting down, speech impediments and change in bite feel.

With respect to these changes, there is an adjustment period once you have a dental bridge placed. This is natural and temporary.

How long does it take to adjust?

For the majority of people undergoing bridge implantation, the adjustment takes about two weeks. You are going to notice improvements as each day passes. Within a few days, you are going to get accustomed to the presence of the bridge.

Ways to deal with tooth sensitivity

There are several ways to deal with tooth sensitivity caused due to dental bridges. You can follow the below-mentioned procedures:

Avoid hot & cold foods

The majority of tooth sensitivity is caused due to hot and cold temperatures that can trigger bouts of tooth sensitivity. You must consume lukewarm or room temperature foods and beverages in the days after getting a bridge placed.

Avoid crunchy and hard foods

The build-up of pressure on the bridge can lead to discomfort. In order to limit this pressure, try to eat soft foods and avoid tough, chewy, and crunchy foods until you have adjusted to the bridge.

Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth

When you are cleaning your teeth and your bridge in the first days after it has been placed, you must use toothpaste that is designed to avoid sensitivity.

Use over-the-counter pain relievers is required

While the discomfort from a new bridge is tolerable, some people may consider taking a simple pain reliever if needed.

Types of dental bridges

There are different types of dental bridges available with the dentist and you can choose one that is best for you. Here are the following bridges available for you.

Cantilever bridges

The cantilever bridges are used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth. Nowadays, cantilever bridge is not very common and is not recommended in the back of the mouth where it puts too much force on other teeth and this can lead to damages.

Traditional bridges

The traditional bridges involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth with a pontic in between. Among the three types of bridges that are available, the traditional bridge is the most common type of bridge and is made up of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.

Maryland bonded bridge

The Maryland bonded bridge is also known as a resin-bonded bridge is made up of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or plastic teeth and gums which in turn supported by a metal or porcelain framework. In addition to this, metal or porcelain wings often on just one side of the bridge are bonded to your existing teeth.

Finally

The above-discussed factors are some of the things you should know before getting a dental implant. Most of the times you need to practice precautions that help you get adjusted to the dental implants. However, if you feel any discomfort, then get in touch with your dentist.

Dental group of Simi Valley has been making Simi Valley smile since 1963. Our team takes pride in offering the best dental care with the patient comfort in mind. We are family-owned practice and offer a full range of dental services.