Yes, you can get decay under a dental bridge. But it’s very treatable if caught early.

Dental bridges are less costly than implants and more permanent than dentures, and they offer an affordable and durable solution to recreate a lost tooth or teeth. As the name suggests, bridges fill the gap where your teeth are missing.

Using your natural teeth or other devices as anchors, the bridge typically replaces between one to four teeth with artificial ones known as pontics. Bridges keep your teeth in alignment so you can chew normally. They also cover the spaces where your teeth are missing. And no one will know you have a bridge because they’ll match your natural tooth color. Yet the teeth under your dental bridge are still vulnerable to decay. But if you know the signs of decay and how to prevent it, you can get treatment from your dentist to save the tooth and bridge.

Do you have a decayed tooth under your bridge?

Dental bridges can last a long time, and one government study concluded dental bridges have a high success rate with few complications. The study also found most fixed bridges were viable after ten years. However, their longevity depends on how well you care for your teeth. Decay can happen in the teeth under the bridge, resulting in more damage and more complex and costly dental work.

Pain and sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages are the first signs of decay. You may also notice bad breath as the bacterial infection grows. The decay may weaken the abutment or anchor teeth, making the bridge unstable and loose. 

If you experience any of those symptoms, inform your dentist immediately. How severe the decay is will dictate your treatment options. A small cavity can be treated with a filling. After the filling, the bridge is sealed back in place. You may need a root canal followed by a filling for decay that has reached the root.

More extensive decay in the tooth may require an extraction of the tooth and even the surrounding teeth securing the bridge. A dental implant or a new bridge will restore the missing teeth if that’s the case.

How to protect your tooth from decay

Like your other teeth, your dental bridge-covered tooth can stay decay-free with excellent oral care. To maintain the health of your teeth and avoid another expensive restoration, try these guidelines:

Brush twice a day. And when you brush, use a fluoride toothpaste. A non-abrasive toothpaste is also a good choice. Follow up with an antibacterial mouthwash.

Floss daily. Get into those hard-to-reach places under the bridge with an interdental brush or water flosser to flush out bacteria and food bits.

Limits sweets and starches. Sugar and starch act as accelerants for decay. Limit sweets and starchy foods such as pretzels and sticky candy to avoid decay.

Treat your bridge with care. Bridges are strong but not indestructible. Biting down on ice, pencils, or other hard objects can break the bridge.

Explore fluoride treatments. Need an extra boost of decay-fighting fluoride? Talk to your dentist about sealants and other supplement fluoride treatments.

Schedule twice-year dental appointments. Decay in any tooth can be successfully treated if caught early. And the only way to detect decay early is with regular, twice-annual dental checkups. 

Get your dental bridge in Wyoming.

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s Cheyenne, WY, location today! Our highly trained dentists can restore your oral health with a dental bridge made just for you. Don’t live near our Cheyenne, WY, office? Find one of our other locations near you.

Cheyenne, WY
7112 Commons Circle
Cheyenne, WY 82009