What You Should Know About Dental Bridges And Missing Teeth

Dentist Blog

If you have a missing tooth, consider talking to your dentist about ways you can replace it. Your dentist might have several options, and a popular choice is often to have a bridge put in. A bridge can replace one or more missing teeth, although it's common for a bridge to just replace one tooth that's missing between two other healthy teeth. Here's why replacing your missing teeth is important and how you care for a bridge once you get one.

Why You Should Replace Missing Teeth

A missing tooth leaves a gap in your smile, so if you have a tooth missing where it can be seen easily, you might be embarrassed by your appearance. That alone can be enough reason to get a dental bridge. However, a missing tooth causes problems beyond affecting your appearance. When a tooth is lost, the teeth around it slowly drift out of their original positions, and this can cause problems with chewing and eating. When you get a bridge, a false tooth is placed in the gap so your other teeth are held in place.

Depending on the location of the missing tooth, you might have difficulty eating when you get older, and this could even affect your health by keeping you from eating things like raw vegetables that need a lot of chewing. Even if your missing tooth doesn't interfere with your ability to eat, it might interfere with your speech. A dental bridge can prevent these problems from occurring.

Another consequence of missing teeth is that the bone under them can shrink. If you have multiple missing teeth and the bone shrinks, it can change the appearance of your face and make you look older. A bridge fills in sunken areas of your face, and if you get a bridge supported by implants, the implants may even prevent your bone from shrinking.

The crowns used in a dental bridge are usually made from porcelain, and this material looks a lot like natural enamel. This allows the bridge to blend in with your natural teeth so you can smile again without feeling self-conscious.

How To Care For A Dental Bridge

There are a few types of dental bridges you can get. One type is supported by implants and the others are supported by your own nearby teeth. The implants are considered a more permanent solution, but they also cost more. You can prolong the life of your bridge by keeping your teeth and gums healthy. You'll need to brush and floss according to your dentist's instructions. Flossing under a bridge is important for keeping your gums healthy. Your dentist may also advise you on the dental products to use for brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth so your teeth and gums stay healthy, and you get a long life from your new bridge.

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19 September 2019

Getting Your Toddler to the Dentist Once and For All

Toddlers should see a dentist for the first time by the age of twelve months or by the time their first tooth comes in. But if you are a parent with toddlers anything like mine, the prospect of going to the dentist (let alone anywhere!) can be pretty intimidating. My kids were a handful growing up. They had tantrums any time we would have to sit in a waiting room, and they refused to get in the dentist's chair during their first few visits. So, I had to employ a professional to help me make the transition to finally getting them in that dental chair without all the screaming and crying. I know I'm not the only parent in this situation, so I decided to share the information I've learned with others who can use a little help. You can find all my advice right here on these pages!