Dental Bridge Aftercare Tips To Reduce Sensitivity

A dental bridge is crucial in restoring your bite function and improving your smile if you’ve lost your natural teeth. A dental bridge is a dental prosthesis with one or several fake teeth that replace missing teeth. They are often supported by dental crowns attached to healthy adjacent natural teeth. However, you can also anchor a bridge with dental implants or frameworks.

Immediately after getting a dental bridge, it’s normal to experience minor discomfort, soreness, or sensitivity around the bridge. It is normal since the anchor teeth are trimmed down for the supporting crown to fit normally. Fortunately, there are ways to manage these symptoms and promote faster healing. Below are essential aftercare tips to reduce sensitivity and inflammation after getting a dental bridge.

Dental Bridge Aftercare Tips

• Take medication as prescribed by the dentist.

Your dentist in Easton, PA will most likely prescribe painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics to reduce discomfort and swelling and prevent infections. Ensure you take the medication as directed to promote faster healing and recovery.  You can use over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen if you don’t have a prescription.

• Use a cold compress.

Applying an ice pack to the cheek can also help minimize sensitivity and swelling around a dental bridge. To do this, place some ice packs in a clean cloth and place it on the cheek against the painful area for about 15 minutes.

• Use a desensitizing toothpaste.

Desensitizing toothpaste can help reduce sensitivity after getting a dental bridge. The toothpaste contains unique ingredients that reduce exposure or block pain responses caused by external factors.

• Maintain excellent oral hygiene.

Poor oral hygiene encourages a buildup of bacterial plaque and tartar in the mouth and around the bridge. If not removed, these deposits release toxic acids that irritate your gums and teeth, causing sensitivity, decay, and gum disease. Brushing and flossing regularly helps keep your mouth clean and promotes faster healing. When brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and make gentle movements to avoid irritating your teeth or gums.

When brushing your mouth, also ensure you clean underneath the bridge. Food debris and bacteria can get trapped and accumulate under the bridge, making the adjacent teeth vulnerable to decay and gum infections around the bridge. Flossing the areas between the bridge and the gums using floss threaders, interproximal brushes, or dental picks helps keep the area under the bridge clean and disease free. You can consult your dentist on how to clean under the bridge and which products to use.

• Eat a soft diet.

Since your mouth will be sore or sensitive after getting a dental bridge, avoid hard, chewy, spicy, hot, crunchy, and acidic foods and beverages, as they can increase sensitivity, dislodge your bridge, and encourage infections around the bridge. Soft diets to eat after dental bridge treatment include mashed potatoes, yogurt, soups, soft vegetables and fruits, and scrambled eggs.

• Do a salt water rinse.

Saltwater rinses can help reduce tooth sensitivity after getting a dental bridge. Saltwater rinses also help balance the mouth’s PH levels, reduce bacterial growth, and promote faster healing. Mix two teaspoons of salt in a glass of warm water to make a saltwater solution. Use saltwater rinses twice daily, in the morning and at night.

• Use a mouthguard for bruxism.

Grinding your teeth at night can cause increased tooth sensitivity and pain and damage your bridge. Wearing a custom nightguard reduces teeth damage and pressure caused by nighttime grinding.

• Schedule routine dental checkups.

Besides daily brushing and flossing, routine dental cleanings and checkups are essential to maintain a pain-free and healthy mouth. The checkups allow the dentist to check on the condition of your bridge and correct any problems. The dentist can also help remove plaque and other debris trapped in the mouth and around the bridge.

• Notify your dentist if something feels wrong.

While rare, complications after getting a tooth bridge are possible. Notify your dentist immediately if you experience serious side effects such as severe pain, swelling, or infections around the bridge.

Are you interested in dental bridges in Easton, PA?

For more information about dental bridge treatments and aftercare tips, contact Maple Tree Dental to schedule your consultation today.