Signs of a Loose Dental Bridge and What to Do About It
Dental bridges are made to be long-lasting and can typically last between 5 and 15 years. But over time, your bridge can become loose or feel uncomfortable. So if you find yourself in this situation wondering, “What can I do if my bridge is loose?” we got you covered. Carry on reading.
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Reasons Why Your Dental Bridge Feels Unstable
Dental bridges replace a few missing teeth in a row. Although a bridge is cemented in place using strong adhesives, it may still come loose at some point.
A common reason is wear and tear. This happens on a daily basis. After handling years of chewing and biting pressure, your bridge may eventually wear out or feel unstable. This risk is higher among those with a teeth grinding habit (bruxism) or bite issues.
Sometimes, the issue is not with your restoration. It’s the “abutment” teeth supporting the bridge that need attention. If they’re decayed or damaged in any way, your bridge will not stay as stable as before.
Signs That You Have a Loose Dental Bridge
Some people say they feel a weird sensation in their mouth but aren’t able to pinpoint the reason. This may happen when the bridge is starting to come loose. Other signs you may experience are:
- Your bridge tilts or rocks when you’re chewing food
- You can wiggle it with your finger or tongue
- Pain while biting or chewing
- Food trapping under your bridge
- Foul taste in the mouth or bad odor
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Gum irritation near the site
- Speech problems
Many of these symptoms overlap with other dental issues. So, it’s best to schedule a dental exam to know whether the problem is with your restoration or teeth.
What to Do If Your Dental Bridge Is Feeling Loose
A loose dental bridge is not something you can fix at home. DIY repairs may only help a little, and they just work as a temporary fix. You should consult your dentist as soon as possible. Request an urgent visit if you’re having too much pain because of it.
Don’t eat hard or sticky foods like nuts or chewing gum until you get the issue solved. They can tug on your bridge, and it may fall out entirely. Continue gentle oral hygiene and rinse with water after meals to help keep the area clean. Avoid putting additional pressure on the loose bridge.
Your dentist may remove the bridge to assess the issue and then recement it if your abutment teeth are healthy. Otherwise, if these teeth are decayed, they’ll need to be addressed first.
A complete replacement may only be necessary if your bridge has worn out, has cracks or damage, or doesn’t fit properly anymore.
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Final Thoughts
If you feel that there’s something wrong with your dental bridge, don’t overlook it. A small issue could turn into a bigger one. Get an early assessment from our dental experts at Ace Dental of Hewitt today. We’ll guide you on the next steps. Call us now!
Medically Reviewed
Aditi Gupta, D.D.S.
Dr. Aditi Gupta is a renowned family dentist, specializing in general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry at ACE Dental with 9 locations across central Texas. She has been an esteemed practitioner for over 12 years and earned her board certification from the American Board of General Dentistry as well as memberships in both the American Dental Association and Texas Dental Association.