After living with an incomplete smile, the last thing you want to experience is losing your dental prosthetic. No matter how it happens, watching your artificial teeth fall out can induce panic and uncertainty. Fortunately, an emergency dentist can provide immediate care so you don’t have to deal with a large gap for long. Keep reading to learn how a dental bridge can become dislodged and how to manage your situation while waiting to see a dental professional.
What Can Cause a Dental Bridge to Fall Out?
Although rare, a dental bridge can fall out for many reasons. While facial trauma might seem like the most obvious culprit (i.e., an accidental fall, excessive pressure, athletic injury, driving accident, etc.), other things can happen, resulting in a dislodged or knocked-out prosthetic:
- Significant tooth decay or gum disease. Harmful bacteria can accumulate between your bridge and gums if you neglect good oral hygiene and/or eat too many sugary or carb-filled foods. This can negatively affect your oral health and lead to problems with your dental prosthetic.
- Weakened abutment teeth. A dental bridge requires healthy abutment teeth to remain in place. Should these become damaged as a result of decay or facial trauma, your bridge may become loose or dislodged.
- Bite changes. If you struggle with TMJ or bruxism, you may notice that your bite changes. This can cause additional force to be applied to your dental bridge, causing it to become loose or sustain damage and eventually fall out.
What Can You Do While Waiting to See an Emergency Dentist?
You should not dismiss a dental bridge that has fallen out. Instead, if you find yourself in this situation, don’t wait to call your emergency dentist for help. Team members will work quickly to schedule a time for you to come in and receive the necessary treatment to restore your smile.
In the meantime, though, you’ll need to make sure that you take care of the situation using these helpful tips:
- Retrieve your bridge (and any loose pieces) and clean it. You can bring it to your appointment so your dentist can try to reattach it (as long as it is intact).
- If the bridge is still in one piece, you can try to reinsert it. If you discover it is too hard to place, wait until you visit your dentist’s office.
- You can use a temporary dental bridge to keep your natural teeth in place and avoid shifting. If you’re unable to find this kind of product, you can try to use a denture adhesive to help hold it in place temporarily.
Losing a dental bridge doesn’t mean you must revert to living with an incomplete smile. Instead, by following these tips and seeking emergency assistance right away, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a fully restored smile that remains firmly intact.
About the Author
Dr. Dhiren Ahir is the lead dentist at Prime Dentistry in Denton and is pleased to help patients suffering from tooth loss. Offering various tooth replacement options, including dental bridges, he and his team can readily provide emergency care should a prosthetic become dislodged or knocked out for any reason. If you need help to fix a damaged or loose dental bridge, contact us via our website or by calling (940) 514-0333.
