What Can You Eat After the Dental Bridge?

Most adults have one or more missing teeth, while others have at least one decayed tooth. If the decayed teeth are not dealt with, you can lose your teeth. The fantastic news is that you can replace your missing teeth using dental bridges in Plano, TX.

A dental bridge near you offers various advantages, such as restoring your chewing abilities, restoring proper pronunciation, and improving your smile. These are some of the benefits that make the treatment worth it.

However, you might be wondering how your life might be like after the dental bridge procedure. Another thing that is essential for you to know is how to care for them to last longer. But before we check on how you can care for them after the procedure, let’s see a thing or two about dental bridges.

How Do Dental Bridges Work?

Tooth bridges can help “bridge” the gaps left by the missing teeth. They are an attractive tooth restoration that can be used to fill the space where your tooth used to be. The beauty of dental bridges is that they can be secured onto your surrounding teeth, a trait that dentures lack.

The main requirement is to have healthy surrounding teeth or tooth implants for the dental bridge to stay in place.

Tooth bridges are made from several materials, including porcelain, to give them a natural look. But different materials can be used depending on the cost, appearance, and function.

The Dental Bridge Procedure

The dental bridge procedure involves several steps; therefore, installing them might take two or more dental visits.

Here’s an overview of the process taken to install a tooth bridge:

• Our dentist will administer local anesthesia close to the area where the bridge will be placed
• Then, our dentist will prepare the two surrounding teeth by shaping them to remove some of the tooth enamel to accommodate the crown.
• Our dentist will then make an impression of your teeth
• You will receive a temporary bridge or tooth crowns to protect your prepped teeth
• Our dentist will then release you to go home while you are waiting for your permanent bridge
• After a few weeks, you will come to our office to get your permanent bridge placed

How to Care for Your Dental Bridge

Hygiene is a critical issue even when you don’t have dental bridges. However, proper oral care will ensure that your gums and teeth remain healthy. If there is damage and decay to your supporting teeth, this could lead to other complications.

Look at some of the tips that you can use to care for your bridge:

• Brush using a fluoride toothpaste for no less than two minutes
• Floss at least once each day
• You can invest in an antiseptic mouth rinse to keep bacteria at bay
• Schedule regular visits with our dentist

What Can You Eat After the Dental Bridge?

You might be tempted to reward yourself with a hearty meal after you get your new tooth. However, you may need to take it easy before going back to your old eating ways. You should give your teeth time for the crowns to stay in place.

So, you will need to avoid foods that can irritate the already sensitive teeth with new crowns. Either way, steer clear from:

• Hot and cold beverages
• Hard and chewy foods
• Sticky foods

Best Foods to Eat After Getting a Bridge

The best foods you can eat immediately after getting a bridge are soft foods. These foods will ensure that you heal properly. Some foods that you can indulge in that don’t require a lot of chewing include pureed or cream soups, oatmeal, soft scrambled eggs, yogurt, smoothies or shakes, mashed potatoes, etc.

You also need to eat soft foods with plenty of protein to help you heal. You can enjoy chicken or beef soup or some milk.

Fruits and veggies are also your friends since you need to get plenty of them because they are packed with vitamins. You can get fruits such as peaches, strawberries, kiwi, avocado, etc., to help increase the levels of vitamin c.

The Takeaway

When you look at the foods you need to avoid, you might think that your diet has been restricted. This is only temporary until the bridge is firm and the sensitivity has reduced. You will enjoy your meals a few days or weeks after the procedure. Contact us at Lutke Dental, and we would love to help you.