Dental bridges are great products used to replace missing teeth; however, they can come loose or even fall out. If your dental bridge falls out, you should be prepared to take the right steps to avoid losing it or needing a new one. Here are some tips to help you know what to do if this ever happens to you.

Step 1: Do Not Put It Back In Place

The first instinct you might have after your bridge falls out is put it back in, but this is not a good idea. A dental bridge is typically made up of an artificial tooth and one or two crowns, which are placed over your existing teeth. If your bridge comes out and you put it back in your mouth, you could end up developing an infection in your mouth, especially if you leave it in there for days or weeks without seeking help from your dentist.

Step 2: Keep It In A Safe Place

After it falls out, it's important to grab the bridge and put it somewhere safe. You can rinse it off with water and even brush it with your toothbrush if you want, but this is really not necessary. The best thing to do is place it in a small baggie and rush to the phone to call your dentist.

Step 3: Get To The Dentist Quickly

When a bridge falls out, you should go to your dentist as quickly as possible, even if this means contacting an emergency dentist. The faster you get there, the more likely it will be that the dentist can reuse your existing bridge; however, bridges cannot always be reused.

Getting to the dentist quickly is also important to protect the teeth that were once covered with the crowns on the bridge. When dentists place crowns on teeth, they remove part of the outer layer of the teeth. This weakens the teeth and makes them more prone to cavities. Without the crowns covering these teeth, your teeth could quickly get infected, and decay might also start forming right away.

Your dentist will want to first inspect your teeth to see why the bridge fell out. There might have been a small gap somewhere in one of the crowns, or the bridge may have fallen out due to a cavity on your tooth.

No matter what the case is, your dentist must first fix the problem with your teeth before determining how to fix the bridge. If there are no problems with your teeth or with the bridge, the dentist may be able to bond the bridge back in place.

Bridges can last a long time if they are cared for properly. If you experience any problems with your bridge, make sure you contact your dentist right away.