What To Do When Your Dental Bridge Falls Out?

Dental bridges work miracles, ensuring you have a beautiful smile to show off. And although these restorations are built to last for decades, tooth decay and an irregular bite pattern can cause your bridge to fall out. If it does, here’s what you should do:

Why Did My Dental Bridge Fall Out?

Dental bridges can last up to 10 years with proper hygiene and care. However, these restorations can fall out prematurely because of the following:

• Abutment tooth decay: The abutment tooth is the tooth on which the bridge is anchored. Decay compromises the strength of the bond between the bridge and this tooth, leading to the bridge falling out.

• Awkward bite patterns: Teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and other improper bite patterns can put irregular stress on the bridge and weaken it over time. Too much wear and tear will eventually make it fall out.

• Abutment tooth fractures: Forceful impact or poor dental health can cause fractures in abutment teeth, compromising their ability to hold the bridge in place.

Steps to Take When Your Dental Bridge Falls Out

Follow the steps below should your dental bridge fall out:

Stay Calm

It's hard to keep calm when you have an actual tooth in your hand or on the floor. But panicking after your dental bridge falls out will do you no good. The best course of action is to relax and take deep breaths because panicking can cause you to make irrational decisions. 

See Your Dentist

Once your emotions are in check, the next step is to call your dentist. You might be flustered that your "permanent" restoration fell out, but focus on solving the problem at hand. Your Fort Mill dentist will tell you how soon you can schedule an appointment to re-attach the dental bridge. They'll also advise on what to do in the interim to mitigate any pain or discomfort.

Store the Bridge Safely

Just because your bridge fell out doesn't mean it's useless. The dentist will restore the same bridge as long as it's in good condition. So, keep the bridge safe until you can take it to your dentist for reattachment. Store it in a ziplock bag or container filled with cool water.

Care For The Exposed Gum

The gap left after your bridge falls out is vulnerable to infection. Food particles may get lodged inside this gap and lead to bacterial infection, causing inflammation. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water and apply clove oil to the exposed gum line.

Let Luck Family Dental Restore Your Beautiful Smile 

It's normal for your dental bridge to fall out after having it for a while. If it does, stay calm and talk to your dentist right away. The longer you wait, the more you risk your oral health and overall well-being. A reputable dentist will help restore your bridge and give you back your lovely smile, so you can conquer the world with confidence.

Contact Luck Family Dental for professional and expedient dental bridge restoration. Our team of experienced dentists will be more than happy to help!