Look Out Below! Here’s What Can Cause a Dental Bridge to Fail

While a dental bridge can last for fifteen years or more with proper care, this is not always what happens. A dental bridge is a section of artificial teeth fixed in the mouth to fill a gap in the smile. Most dental bridges will need to be replaced at some point, but you probably want yours to last a long time. Here are a few things that can cause a dental bridge to fail so you can be better prepared to prevent that from happening.

Improper Dental Hygiene

The most common reason that dental bridges fail is poor oral hygiene. This can lead to infections and tooth decay that can compromise a bridge’s ability to stay in place. A dental bridge is attached to crowns on the real teeth on either side of it, and it depends on them to stay in place. Without proper oral hygiene, these abutment teeth can begin to decay, and the crowns can keep their deterioration hidden. If these teeth decay to the point where they can no longer support the crowns holding the bridge in place, the bridge can come loose or even fall out.

Proper oral hygiene includes a daily regimen of brushing at least twice and flossing and using antibacterial mouthwash at least once. This will be sufficient to eliminate most of your day-to-day buildup of bacteria and food debris.

Destructive Habits

Your teeth exist for only two reasons: eating and smiling. Using them for anything else will cause damage to your teeth and your dental bridge, making it a clear case of smile abuse. Grinding your teeth or using them to open packages or bottles, hold on to something, or nervously gnaw on inedible materials can easily harm your dental bridge or the teeth supporting them.

Skipping Dental Appointments

Regular dental appointments are crucial to your oral health because a licensed dental professional can catch developing problems in their early stages and perform cleaning services beyond what toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash can do on their own. A dental appointment might lead to the discovery of cavities in the abutment teeth, allowing them to be treated before they reach an advanced state of tooth decay. This can save your dental bridge from failing.

Your dental bridge works hard to keep your smile looking great and working well, so it deserves to be well taken care of. Using your teeth properly along with excellent oral hygiene and regular dental appointments can keep your restored smile healthy for the long run.

About the Practice

Rubal Dentistry Azle provides the best oral health services available in Azle, TX. Led by Drs. Frank and Jodie Rubal, the staff is dedicated to creating a positive, comfortable environment so families can receive top-quality dental care. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, emergency, and restorative dentistry such as dental bridges. For more information on keeping your dental bridge healthy for the long haul, contact the office online or dial (817) 444-2585.