Symptoms Your Dental Bridge Is Loose & What to Do About It
Dental bridges are custom-made appliances used to fill gaps created by missing teeth. They are placed, cementing the crowns to the surrounding teeth. Dental bridges are classified ad permanent or fixed dental restorations that can last for a long period. However, dental bridges are not indestructible. They can dislodge and loosen due to direct dental trauma or poor oral hygiene. If a part of your dental bridge starts to feel loose, visit a dentist near you to examine and fix it.
When Is Your Dental Bridge Loose
If the dental bridge can be moved, it’s loose. The following are signs that a dental bridge has loosened.
- A Shifting Dental Bridge
Moving your dental bridge using your tongue or finger is a common sign of a loose dental bridge. They can also shift while drinking or eating. Dental bridges should be safely fixed in the mouth just as a natural tooth. If you have a loose tooth, notify your dentist. An early check-up will prevent the bridge from becoming looser or falling out.
- Pain and Bite Problems
If you cannot feel the bridge shifting, it doesn’t mean that it is not damaged or loose. Tooth pain or difficulties while chewing is another sign of a loose dental bridge. Loosened dental bridges can also cause bad bites. Bite problems can cause headaches, toothaches, or sore jaws.
- Mouth Odor or Bad Taste
Despite the brushing and flossing daily, the bad odor or taste in your mouth can’t seem to go away. This could be a result of food decaying under your dental bridges. With a loosened dental bridge, food particles easily slip underneath the bridges. A small food particle and the right type of bacteria can create a bad odor. Make an appointment with a specialist to prevent further dental issues such as tooth decay.
- Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is expected during the first few days after the dental bridges procedure. The dental bridge may be dislodged if it continues for more than a week. Gum sensitivity or pain may be experienced if the loosened bridge is due to periodontitis. Sensitivity may also be caused when the loose tooth constantly touches the surrounding teeth and gums.
- Discomfort
A dislodged dental bridge from its original position causes discomfort. One may feel awkward, and it may also affect your speech and bite. The discomfort may be manifested through irritated gums, infections, or boils. In this case, make an appointment with your dentist for dental bridge repairs.
- Periodontal Disease
Periodontitis diseases are a concern to dislodged dental bridges. Dental bridges are at a higher risk of loosening when you develop gingivitis or periodontitis. Receding gums or deep gum pockets also affects the condition of the dental bridge.
What Causes a Loose Dental Bridge?
Various factors can cause a loose dental bridge. Knowing about some of these factors may help you prevent them from dislodging. Some of these factors include:
i. Direct Dental Trauma
A hard blow to your head, face, or mouth may loosen your dental bridge. The bridge or the teeth supporting the bridge may have been damaged. Visit Fox Creek Dental by Espire in Loveland if you experience any discomfort after oral trauma.
ii. Decaying of The Abutment Teeth
Poor dental hygiene can cause the teeth supporting the bridge to decay. The dental cement attaching the bridge and the abutment teeth breaks off as the tooth decays. This causes the teeth to loosen and wiggle.
iii. Wearing Off of The Dental Cement
This rarely happens unless there are other health issues. However, with time dental cement can loosen, dislodging the dental bridge. This can be caused by frequent eating of sticky food substances that pull away from the bridge from the cement.
Other causes of a loose dental bridge are,
- Cement failure
- Due to the breaking of the porcelain or metal framework underneath the bridge
- An ill-fitted bridge from the beginning
Tips To Address a Loose Dental Bridge
Schedule a dental appointment as soon as you realize that the dental bridge is loose. Before the appointment, do not wiggle, clean, or play with the bridge. Further manipulation of the dental bridge could cause further damage to the abutment or the bridge.
Rinse your mouth using salty warm water if you have traces of blood or debris. Do not use an antiseptic mouth wash that will irritate the gum tissues.