The Dental Bridge is Out! What Should You Do Next?  

It was just a normal day, and now you’re holding your dental bridge in your hand.

Whether it’s due to time, an errant bite of food, or a dental injury, this is a problem that shouldn’t be ignored. So what should you do next? Fortunately, this step-by-step guide will help you get the attention you need as quickly as possible.

Step 1: Recover Your Bridge

Hopefully, you felt your bridge come loose in your mouth and were able to grab it, but if not, be sure to pick it up, gently rinse it off with lukewarm water, and brush/clean it as soon as you can. If you’re unable to put it back on, or if it’s really unstable when you do, then it’s time to move on to the most important step…

Step 2: Call Your Dentist

In short, the only person who can really help you with a damaged dental prosthetic is your dentist. They’ll determine if your bridge can be repaired or should be replaced. It’s best to contact them right away because going a few days without teeth can be very challenging when it comes to eating, speaking, and just feeling confident.

Step 3: Say N-O to DIY

Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to learn about anything and everything you can imagine. There are at least 1,000 TikToks right now discussing how to repair a bridge on your own, and they should all be completely ignored! Trying to fix your bridge yourself will probably only lead to bigger problems, plus you don’t have the mouth-safe materials your dentist does. Superglue is great for home projects, but not so much for your smile!

Step 4: Manage Pain

If your bridge issue stems from an injury, you might be experiencing some oral soreness. Your dentist will be able to help with this as well, but in the meantime, taking OTC medication, placing a cold compress against the face, and rinsing with warm salt water can offer some immediate relief.

Step 5: Bring Your Bridge to Your Appointment

This seems like a no-brainer, but having a dental bridge unexpectedly fall out can be stressful, and many people end up rushing to the dentist while forgetting their prosthetic. As stated earlier, your bridge could be repaired. Plus, letting your dentist examine it can allow them to determine why it failed in the first place, meaning they can help you avoid a similar episode in the future.

A dental bridge falling out is certainly alarming, but you aren’t on your own. A quick call and trip to your dentist can help you put this episode in the past sooner than you think!

About the Practice

At Dolfield Dental of Owings Mills, Dr. Jacob Milner and Dr. Cynthia Miller proudly offer multiple solutions for those with missing teeth, including dental bridges and implants. And should you ever need urgent help, due to a failed bridge or pain, we’ll do everything we can to see you as soon as possible. To schedule a visit with us, contact our practice online or call us at 410-390-0277.