Unlike dentures, a dental bridge should remain permanent and secure. It’s supposed to stay in your mouth until (or unless) a dentist takes it out personally; you can’t just remove it yourself. Given these facts, you’ll need to act quickly and correctly if the device ever falls out of your mouth. Your Waco dentist is here to make sure that happens. To that end, keep reading to learn how to respond when a dental bridge falls out.
What Can Make Dental Bridges Fall?
For starters, you should briefly consider why your dental bridge fell out at all. Doing so will make fixing your oral issue smoother and easier in the long run.
Dental bridges can fall out for various reasons, but the most common ones are:
- Uneven Bite – If you have an uneven bite (due to orthodontic misalignment, TMJ, etc.), it could put pressure on parts of your dental bridge. This force could damage or dislodge your device.
- Decayed Teeth – When a dental bridge’s support teeth decay, they can weaken until they can’t hold the restoration in place.
- Dental Injuries/Accidents – When someone suffers a blow to the mouth (from a fall, collision, etc.), their injury could knock their dental bridge out.
While you can manage the above factors with dental checkups, they may “slip through” at times. Remember to note them if or when they make your bridge fall out.
Why is Your Fallen Dental Bridge “Serious”?
While a dental bridge doesn’t include “natural teeth,” its falling out is a big deal. Not getting it treated will put your health at risk.
The smile gap from a fallen dental bridge has several nasty effects. First, it serves as a breeding ground for harmful oral bacteria; it thus elevates your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, etc. Next is that the gap can tilt your surrounding teeth until they fall out as well. Most crucially, this unwanted space can make eating and speaking much more difficult. You’d then suffer declines in nutritional and mental health.
If you want to avoid these outcomes, you’ll need professional help. A fallen dental bridge isn’t something you can handle alone.
Responding to Your Fallen Dental Bridge
If your dental bridge ever falls out, your first move should be to call your dentist. Making (and attending) a repair appointment puts you on the path to recovery.
As you wait for your visit, you can also take steps to manage the problem yourself. One example would be finding your dental bridge to avoid further damage. If the bridge came out in one piece, you could then disinfect it and try to reinsert it temporarily. Another idea is to (temporarily) fill your smile’s gap with a denture adhesive or similar product.
Knowing what to do when your dental bridge falls out can better protect your smile. Keep that in mind as you look after your restoration!
About the Practice
Heart of Texas Smiles General & Cosmetic Dentistry is based in Waco, TX. Led by Drs. Lassetter, Rivacoba, and Enneking, our practice offers warm dental care in a state-of-the-art facility. That means we have the resources and dedication to tailor our comprehensive treatments to your smile! Whether your aim is a simple checkup or dental bridge, our team will always meet your oral needs. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (254)-848-0240.