Dental bridges fill the gaps created by missing teeth. These prosthetics restore your smile, ability to chew, and shape of your face. The bridges can be a lifetime and durable solution, but that depends on your oral health habits–infections can occur under the dental bridge, which could make the artificial teeth to fail or fall out of place.
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Causes of infection under a dental bridge
Tooth decay
Tooth decay happens over time in a slow process that culminates in cavities. Poor oral hygiene and the consumption of sugar-packed foods are the common causes of tooth decay. If the tooth decay happens under a dental bridge, that’s an indication that it’s become widespread.
Patients with dental bridges may get tooth decay under the bridge not necessarily because they fail to brush and floss their teeth. The architecture of dental bridges naturally makes it hard to clean under, and without knowing, bacteria starts to accumulate.
When infection under the dental bridge occurs due to tooth decay, you may see the cavity around the bridge where it meets the tooth. If this is not addressed in time, the destruction can expand to the root. You might get symptoms such as toothache, acute sensitivity, and staining on the surface of the tooth.
Badly fitted bridges
Not many people can live through the discomfort of a poorly fitted bridge. Aside from pain and hypersensitivity, the issue can cause bacterial and yeast infections if the bridge is not rectified.
Ill-fitting bridges make it hard to clean around the area. The dental fixtures leave pockets of spaces providing habitat for bacterial build-up, which in turn leads to infections.
The additional risks of improperly fitting dental bridges include swollen gums and an impeded bite. Patients might similarly experience high tooth sensitivity and looseness around the bridge. The poor workmanship is often as a result of being treated by inexperienced or unqualified dentists.
Gum disease
Bacterial infection under the dental bridge may stem from gingivitis. This is a gum disease that can spread to other areas causing severe infections such as periodontitis.
Common symptoms of gingivitis include swollen gums, sore gums, red gums, and pus between teeth and gums. Gum disease, just like tooth decay, is caused by poor oral hygiene and a combination of other factors, including living off a sugar-packed diet. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to loosened teeth and dental bridges.
Symptoms of infection under a dental bridge
Bad breath
The first indicator of bacteria accumulation and dental bridge infection is a bad smell. Bad smell commonly occurs in cases of ill-fitting bridges. Their design leaves spaces between the gums where it’s hard to clean. Food builds up in these pockets, inviting many bacteria.
Bad breath may similarly be caused by inadequate oral hygiene and an unhealthy diet. If you are not brushing and flossing correctly, or if you are eating too many sugary foods, these factors accelerate the bacterial generation and tooth decay.
Discomfort under the dental bridge
If you have tooth hypersensitivity under the bridge, that’s a possible indicator of infection. The pain and discomfort happen when the tooth decay or caries extend to the root. In addition to hypersensitivity, you may experience pain when chewing and sharp shooting pain when eating or drinking cold or hot foods. If you get these symptoms, schedule an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible.
Loose dental bridges
Dental bridges are supposed to fit firmly and comfortably around the gums. Infections such as those resulting from tooth decay and gingivitis might cause artificial teeth to feel loose. You will feel it moving when you chew or move your tongue. That’s a possible sign of dental bridge infection or shoddy clinical work that might ultimately lead to infection.
Dental bridge infection remedies
If you develop an infection or complications under your dental bridge, it is recommendable to see your dentist as soon as possible for speedy intervention. Remediation measures may include:
Root canal therapy
This treatment is for infections that have progressed to the inner parts of your tooth, and it involves the removal of the pulp and filling.
Dental filling
This treatment is used for cavities that have significantly advanced from the first stage. The decayed area of the tooth under the bridge is removed and filled with resins or dental amalgam materials.
Tooth extraction
This remedy is for teeth that are so severely damaged that they can’t be restored.
Antibiotic treatments
Antibiotic medication may be prescribed for gum infections occurring under the dental bridge.
New bridges
Your dentist may propose new dental bridges for infections caused by ill-fitting bridges.
Prevention
Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
Find a toothbrush with the right bristles to reach the critical areas under your dental bridge. The best brush comes with a tongue cleaner since bacteria can also live on the tongue.
When it comes to toothpaste, the dentist-recommended products are fluoride-based. Fluoride is a natural element that prevents caries by strengthening the enamel. Using fluoride toothpaste over a long time makes your teeth resilient to bacteria.
Floss underneath the dental bridge and between your teeth
Brushing alone is not enough. Daily flossing is essential to remove bacteria between teeth and under the dental bridge. Brushing cleans the outside surface, but flossing prevents infection from creeping in around spaces between the teeth.
Rinse your mouth with an ADA-approved mouthwash
Mouthwash can reduce and control bacterial and yeast infections. The therapeutic types of mouthwash have been known to be effective against bad breath, tooth decay, and gingivitis. Whether or not you have a dental bridge, mouthwash is critical to have in your oral hygiene kit.
Reduce consumption of sugary foods
If confectionaries and starch-packed foods are a big part of your daily diet, you run the highest risk of developing an infection under your dental bridge. When the existing bacteria in your mouth come across sugar, they break it down into an acid that has the potential to erode the enamel of your teeth, causing cavity and the risk of infection. You can reverse this trend by cutting back on sugary foods. Instead, fill your menus with healthy vitamins and a balanced diet. If you do take sugary drinks and snacks, consider rinsing your mouth immediately after that.
Infections can occur under a dental bridge as a result of many factors, as seen above. If you have a dental bridge, practice the right oral hygiene, eat the right foods, and visit the dentist at least twice a year for checkup and cleaning.
