When an Astoria, NY, residents sees us with one or more missing teeth, we often help by placing a lifelike dental bridge. But once you receive a dental prosthetic, how to you protect it and keep it strong? What steps can you take to prevent further tooth loss as well? In today’s blog, we have a few tips for keeping your smile full and stable!
Treating Tooth Loss with a Bridge
A dental bridge offers replacement for between one and three lost teeth in a row. The prosthetic consists of your new teeth with crowns attached to each end. We place the crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap in your smile, which we refer to as abutment teeth. The crowns then secure the new ones firmly in place, allowing you eat and speak without difficulty. With proper care and attention, they even usually last between 10 and 15 years before requiring adjustment or replacement. You should brush them and floss around them just as you would natural teeth. After all, the abutment teeth keeping your new ones in place are still susceptible to tooth decay, infection, or gum disease. Also, take time to clean the portions between the top of the gums and the bottom of the bridge, where food particles could accumulate.
Preserving Your Smile
The causes of tooth loss vary, but usually involves severe decay or infection, or in most cases, an advanced case of gum disease. Keeping your teeth healthy means routine care to prevent the causes of decay and inflammation. Daily brushing and flossing removes food particles that could otherwise feed harmful bacteria, leading to plaque buildup and a greater risk of weakened enamel, which causes cavities, or inflamed gum tissue and gum disease. You should also see our team every six months so we can examine your smile and look for the early signs of trouble, administering treatment. During the same visit, we will clean your teeth to remove all plaque and tartar completely.
The Risks Associated with Missing Teeth
Remember, when you address the gaps in your smile, you reduce the risk of misalignment, TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). You also ensure your ability to eat a variety of foods and speak without difficult. Remember, any complications related to tooth loss, such as misalignment and loss of jawbone mass and density, could lead to further tooth loss. If you have any questions about caring for a prosthetic or keeping your smile whole, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Missing Teeth?
We would love to help you start the year with a healthy, whole smile using lifelike dental prosthetics. For more information on our dental prosthetics, then schedule a consultation, call Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
