5 Reasons to See an Emergency Dentist When Your Bridge Breaks

Dental bridges are made to last, but they may sometimes break due to issues such as poor oral hygiene and blunt trauma. This may not cause you any pain at first, so it can be tempting to put off seeing your dentist. However, a broken bridge should be considered a serious problem, so it's worth seeing either your usual dentist or an emergency dentist as soon as possible.

Here are just five reasons why.

1. Plaque and Bacteria Can Enter

When a dentist places a bridge, they need to slightly modify the shape of supporting teeth in order to fit the supporting caps over them. As such, those remaining natural teeth will be more vulnerable to decay and infection. This isn't normally a problem since they will be covered, but bacteria and plaque can find their way inside if a bridge ever breaks. Since they will be hard to clean away, they can instead start to thrive, significantly increasing your risk of tooth decay or gum disease.

2. Food Particles Can Be Trapped

It isn't just plaque and bacteria that can find their way through broken bridges. Small particles of food can also get trapped. Once trapped, they will start to fester. This can increase your risk of developing an infection — even when that doesn't happen, trapped food particles are quickly going to result in an unpleasant taste and bad breath.

3. Underlying Problems Can Develop

If your dental bridge only seems to have suffered minor damage, you might think there is nothing to worry about. However, these appliances rely on having solid natural teeth, so damage often indicates a shift in their position or a reduction in their structural integrity. By addressing the broken bridge right away, you can also have the underlying cause checked right away. This can mean that minor issues aren't allowed to develop into more serious ones.

4. Soft Tissue Can Be Damaged

When a damaged dental bridge starts to come away, it can rub against your gums and the other soft tissues of your mouth and cause irritation. In the case of more serious breaks, sharp pieces can even cut your gums, lips, tongue, or inner cheeks. This can be extremely painful, and such cuts may become infected.

5. Repairs Can Be Harder

Finally, it's worth keeping in mind that breaks involving small cracks or chips can sometimes be repaired using bonding material. However, the chances of your dentist being able to save the bridge dramatically decrease the longer you delay having the issue addressed. This can mean waiting longer and paying more for a completely new bridge to be made and fitted.

For more info about emergency dentistry, contact a local company.