As dental technology has evolved, our ability to repair damage and even reverse years of bad habits has gotten better and better. Of course, it's still always best to prevent any oral issues from occurring in the first place, but if they do crop up, it's nice to know that there are solutions available.
A great example of this is damage to your teeth. If you have an incident that results in a loss of enamel or a change in the physical appearance of your teeth, it can be repaired with a dental crown. Sometimes though, the issue may cause the loss of a tooth, or more than one in certain situations. This can be an upsetting situation to find yourself in, but fortunately it can be addressed with a dental bridge.
What is a dental bridge?
Essentially, dental bridges are very similar to crowns, in that they are fixed prosthetics – commonly made from porcelain or ceramic – that restore your smile to its full glory. The difference is that while crowns sit on top of a tooth, dental bridges fill a gap where a tooth (or teeth) have been lost.
Dental bridges are designed to be very long lasting, with a life span of 10 years or more, and their benefits actually go far beyond just restoring the appearance of a full set of teeth. Yes, your smile will look great, but you'll also find that tasks such as chewing are easier, and any speech impediments that you might have as a result of tooth loss will disappear.
Take the same great care of your dental bridge that you do the rest of your mouth.
Taking care of your bridge
Because dental bridges are cemented to the natural teeth on either side of the gap, the replacements have a very strong anchor point that gives them a lot of stability. Even so, it's a good idea to limit your intake of very hard foods such as ice or candy, and avoid excessive chewing with the replaced teeth.
Aside from that, all you'll need to do is take the same great care of your dental bridge that you do the rest of your mouth. To ensure the prosthetic remains firmly embedded in your smile, don't forget to give the surrounding gums a bit of TLC, in order to maintain their health and strength. As long as you stick to the basics of brushing, flossing and rinsing, your smile will be kept looking as good as new.
For more information on oral hygiene and dental bridges, get in touch with the team at City Dentists today.