Dental bridges are an effective solution for replacing missing teeth, but over time they can sometimes become loose due to various reasons and over time. In this blog, we answer a common question older dental patients ask, which is “Why is my dental bridge loose?”
Why Do You Need a Dental Bridge?
Tooth loss can result from gum disease, decay, trauma, or other health conditions, not typically from vitamin D or calcium or other nutrient deficiencies.
Dental bridges fill the gap that is left by missing teeth. They can make chewing easier and help maintain tooth alignment.
Reasons That Cause Your Dental Bridge to be Loose
Learn some of the most common reasons that loosen dental bridges:
1. Not Following Oral Hygiene Regimen
It is better to follow a healthy and hygienic routine: brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash twice a day. Without these important habits, your teeth and gums are more vulnerable to infection under the bridge as more plaque is built up. While the bridge itself cannot decay, the supporting teeth underneath are vulnerable to decay and gum disease.
While the bridge itself cannot decay, infection in surrounding gums or supporting teeth can loosen it. For example, if the nearby teeth and gums are affected by plaque, this will eventually loosen the dental bridge.
2. Not Giving up on Unhealthy Dental Habits
Smoking, crushing ice, biting your nails, and chewing on hard objects with your teeth can harm your natural teeth as well as your dental bridges.Dental bridges are strong, but their longevity depends on proper care.
3. Missing Dental Appointments and Cleaning
You must visit your dental expert every six months, especially when you have restorations like bridges, fillings, or dentures. In the regular visit, the dentist can closely examine the condition of your dental bridges, check the tissues of your mouth, and remove plaque wherever needed. It is crucial for the safety of your dental bridges.
Not removing the plaque in a timely manner may cause the bridge to fail. Regular professional cleanings help prevent decay around abutments and inflammation of the gums, which can compromise bridge stability.
4. Not Enough Support Left for the Bridge
Dental bridges rely on the health and strength of nearby teeth and gums. Insufficient support from abutment teeth or bone loss can cause bridge instability under chewing forces. As a result, they can fracture or suffer injury. If you want to keep your dental bridges safe and strong, practice good oral hygiene.
Pro Tip – The stability of your dental bridges relies on the health of your natural teeth.
What to Do if a Dental Bridge is Loose?
- Do not try to fix it yourself; see your dentist
- Do not chew on the affected side
- Avoid touching or wiggling the bridge
- Do not attempt any DIY with household goods
- Do not floss near the loose bridge; it may dislodge the bridge completely
- Maintain oral hygiene
- Keep the area clean and contact your dentist immediately
The Last Message
Dental Bridges can last for many years, but only if you take care of them properly. Smoking, crushing on hard objects, and not getting plaque removal on time are some of the causes why dental bridges may become loose.
Avoid all such habits and visit a dental specialist at Irvine Family & Implant Dentistry for a complete bridge evaluation. Book your appointment by calling us at (949) 552-1380,