Look Out for These 3 Possible Causes of Dental Bridge Failure

With a dental bridge, you can fill in the gap in your smile left by a missing tooth or multiple consecutive missing teeth. However, while dental bridges are quite durable and can potentially last for many years, it’s still possible for them to fail in a variety of ways. If you want to protect your prosthesis for as long as possible, it’s worth taking note of the following 3 common issues that ultimately lead to dental bridge failure.

1. Missteps in Oral Hygiene

Since dental bridges aren’t the same as real teeth, you might think that you don’t need to give them as much attention when it comes to oral hygiene. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The teeth to which the prosthesis is attached are still potential targets for tooth decay. If these teeth develop cavities, they can become weakened over time and eventually lose their ability to give your dental bridge the support it needs.

Good oral hygiene is essential for preventing cavities. As such, when you brush your teeth, you should always make a point of thoroughly cleaning your dental bridge and the area around it.

2. Harmful Habits Involving Your Teeth

Maybe you often crunch the ice cubes at the bottom of your glass. Or perhaps you frequently tear open stubborn packages with your teeth. You may not think much of these habits, but if they’re left unchecked, they can do serious damage to your dental bridge and may even lead to breakage.

Your prosthesis will last longer if you stay away from any habits that could put it at risk. In general, you should avoid biting down on inedible objects or overly hard foods. When it comes to opening packages, it’s always best to take the time to look for scissors or another appropriate tool for the job instead of using your teeth.

3. Nighttime Grinding and Clenching of the Teeth

Bruxism can cause you to grind and clench your teeth while you’re asleep. This can put an excessive amount of pressure on your dental bridge and the rest of your smile on a nightly basis. In the long term, this can seriously damage your prosthesis.

If you’re suffering from bruxism, you should take steps to have it treated before it compromises your dental bridge. You may want to consider investing in a nightguard to prevent your upper and lower arches of teeth from making direct contact with each other while you sleep.

Once you’re aware of the possible causes of dental bridge failure, you can take the right steps to avoid them. If a problem arises with your dental bridge despite your best efforts, your dentist will be more than happy to help you find a solution and protect your newly rebuilt smile.

About the Practice

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, our dental experts offer high-quality oral health care for adults and children alike. We have multiple locations in Dallas, Arlington, Mesquite, Grapevine, and Fort Worth. Our many practices all offer a variety of reliable services for improving and restoring oral health, including personalized dental bridges for replacing missing teeth. If you want to schedule an appointment with our team, visit our website or call (214) 333-3100.