You Asked, We Answered: How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?

Tooth loss is a condition that more than 170 million Americans are struggling with. Fortunately, there is a solution: dental bridges. Whether you are missing one tooth or several teeth in a row, this durable, lifelike tooth-replacement treatment can seamlessly fill in the gaps. Of course, if you’re investing in restoring your smile, you want your restoration to last a long time. With this in mind, keep reading to learn about the lifespan of dental bridges.

So, How Long Can a Dental Bridge Last?

According to the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Rochester Medical Center, dental bridges can last for five to seven years. However, in some cases, they last well over a decade. The lifespan of yours depends largely on your lifestyle habits, including how you care for your teeth, what you eat, and whether or not you engage in any unhealthy dental behaviors, like smoking.

What You Should and Shouldn’t Eat with a Dental Bridge

When you first get your dental bridge, it’s best to stick to soft foods. Products like mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, applesauce, yogurt, and oatmeal are a good place to start because they require little-to-no chewing power. As you heal, you’ll be able to work your way back up to your usual diet. Just make sure to continue to exercise caution with extremely hard or sticky foods. Like your natural teeth, your dental bridge can chip or crack, taking a serious toll on the look and function of your smile.

How to Care for Your Dental Bridge

As mentioned above, the lifespan of your dental bridge relies largely on your oral hygiene routine. If you neglect to brush consistently, rarely floss, and practice unhealthy dental habits, your restoration won’t last for long. Therefore, make sure to implement the below best practices:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Floss daily.
• Rinse with mouthwash regularly.
• Visit your dentist bi-yearly for a checkup and cleaning.
• Limit sugary foods and beverages.
• Quit unhealthy dental habits, like chewing on ice and using tobacco products.

Dental bridges aren’t just natural-looking and extremely durable, they are built to last for years! So, if you’re missing one tooth or several teeth in a row, get in touch with your dentist to find out if this tooth-replacement option is right for you.

About the Practice

At Ralph Avenue Dental Care, we are proud to have a multi-specialty team of highly-trained, experienced, skilled dentists in-house. As a result, we offer everything from preventive dentistry to smile-rebuilding dental bridges at our conveniently located office! With that being said, we know that dental care isn’t just clinical, which is why providing compassionate, personalized, prompt service is of the utmost importance to us. If you’d like to learn more about dental bridges or are ready to schedule your initial consultation, don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 718-531-0300.