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Dental Implants: A Guide for Seniors

If you are a senior considering dental implants, you may have to worry about issues other dental patients don't have to think about. For example, you may need more time to recover after receiving your implants. My name is Jodi, and I've been working with seniors for years. I decided to create this blog to help the seniors I can't meet in person. In this space, I'm going to post entries on everything related to dental implants and seniors. From tips on flossing implants after arthritis has claimed some of your dexterity, to guiding you through the implants-vs-dentures debate, this blog is designed for you. Thanks for reading. I hope you find what you need!

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Dental Implants: A Guide for Seniors

How To Take Care Of Dental Bridges

by Jimmy Carter

Accidents or decay can cause people to lose their teeth. Dental bridges help to keep the remaining teeth in place.  A missing tooth can lead to shift in other teeth, increase the risk of getting periodontal disease and affect the bite. Dental bridges help to fill the gaps and holes of missing teeth. Bridges should be cared for properly, as they are costly. Improper care will lead to loss of the bridges and the supporting teeth. The following should be observed when caring for dental bridges.

Cleaning Bridges

Use an interdental cleaner or a toothbrush with soft bristles to clean around a bridges. Make sure to use a floss that has a spongy texture and stiffened-end dental floss threader which fits into a variety of spaces between teeth.Slide the threader in between teeth and move it in front-back motion to loosen the particles. Brush around bridges in small circular motions to check against plaque which may form around it.

Rinse the mouth with water to remove debris. Hard-to-reach areas should be cleaned using Listerine. It will also keep the bridge clean. Teeth should be thoroughly cleaned, as they offer support to bridges.

 Avoid Certain Types of Food

To avoid any damages on the bridge, avoid eating hard food.  After installation of the bridges, eating may be hard and removable dental bridges may pop out.  Call your dentist in case the removable bridge pops out for further instructions. If possible do not chew food using the area where the bridge has been placed until full healing has taken place. Sweets, ice and hard food should be avoided.                                          

Grinding Teeth

If you have a habit of grinding teeth when you are asleep, nervous or stressed, you have to stop after the placement of dental bridges. Crowns on the ends of the bridge can be damaged through grinding teeth. Those who grind teeth at night should consider buying prosthetic aid to help them stop the habit. Ask your dentist for this device as they are reasonably priced.

Painful or uncomfortable bridges

Pain will be experienced on the first days after placement of the bridge. However, after a short period of time, the area will heal and there will be no more pain. If you continue to experience pain after the healing period as specified by your dentist, then it is better to visit the dental clinic.  Uncomfortable bridges may be as a result of wrong installation. Visit the dentist so that he can identify the problem and, if possible, adjust the bridges.

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