Missing one or more of your teeth can greatly affect your day-to-day life. It makes eating and speaking more difficult and you may even experience pain due to the change in how your top and bottom teeth come into contact with each other.
If you want to avoid discomfort and maintain the health of your gums, jaw and remaining teeth, your missing teeth should be replaced. One dental apparatus your dentist may use to correct the problem is a dental bridge. What’s a dental bridge? A dental bridge is a fixed tooth replacement used when one or more teeth are missing. It consists of artificial teeth supported by the adjacent natural teeth, which are covered with porcelain to give the appearance of your natural teeth. This is a good solution if the adjacent teeth would benefit from crowns anyway, such as if they’re decayed or damaged. Once a bridge is fixed into place, it doesn’t need to be removed for cleaning or sleeping. How to care for your dental bridge Daily maintenance is needed if you want your bridge to last. Luckily, all this entails is the same care you give your natural teeth. • Brush twice a day. Brush your teeth for two minutes with a soft bristled toothbrush. Make sure to reach every surface of every tooth, taking special care in the areas where your teeth meet the gums and where the crowns meet the natural tooth. • Floss daily. It’s important to clean between your teeth and under the artificial tooth or teeth of your bridge. Floss threaders (found at most pharmacies) allow you to thread floss under your dental bridge to properly clean the area. You could also consider a water flosser, a special device that uses water to dislodge plaque and debris. • Have regular dental visits. Continue visiting your family dentist in Kamloops on a regular basis for cleanings and checkups. • Avoid biting hard items. Never chew ice, hard candies or anything else that can damage your bridgework and natural teeth. If you don’t care for your bridge properly, you risk shortening it’s life span and negatively impacting the health of your gums, jaw and natural teeth. If you’re missing one or more teeth, and you think you could benefit from a dental bridge, turn to Aberdeen Dental Arts. Our clinic in Kamloops is dedicated to using state of the art cosmetic dentistry technology to restore your smile. Call us today to book a consultation.
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