Anyone with a missing tooth knows the discomfort of biting into one of their favorite foods and having a sudden awareness of an empty gap in their smile. This problem is easily resolved with a dental bridge. But once you get this restoration, can you still continue enjoying the foods you like? Yes, absolutely, you can! Your Missouri City dentist discusses more about eating with a dental bridge and foods to stay away from.
Is It Difficult to Eat With a Dental Bridge?
It actually becomes easier to eat different types of foods once you get your missing tooth replaced with a bridge. A bridge is not like a denture; it’s fixed in place. We design it in a way that it looks just like the rest of your teeth, and also functions very close to a natural tooth.
The only thing you need to be careful about is not to put too much biting pressure when eating with a dental bridge. This restoration stays fixed in one place using the support of your neighboring teeth. If there’s uneven biting pressure, your bridge may not remain so stable.
Also, you may have mild gum irritation once you get a new bridge. So, overall, it takes some time to get used to eating with a dental bridge.
When Can You Start Eating After Getting a Dental Bridge?
You can start with soft foods soon after. But our Missouri City dentist recommends waiting at least 24 hours before eating your routine diet with a dental bridge.
This gives enough time for your neighboring teeth and gums to adjust to the new restoration.
What Foods Can You Normally Eat?
The good news for all those patients with a dental bridge is that they can eat almost every type of food with a dental bridge. This includes rice, pasta, meat, dairy, and other healthy foods that are a part of your diet.
You won’t have the chewing or biting difficulty you once had with missing teeth. To make the adjustment easier, try cutting food into smaller pieces and chewing slowly until you become comfortable with your bridge.
Foods You Should Avoid Eating With a Dental Bridge
A few types of foods that you should try to avoid, or at least limit eating, with a dental bridge are:
- Chewing gum
- Sticky caramel
- Hard candies
- Nuts
- Tough or undercooked meats
- Popcorn kernels
- Hard pretzels and breads
- Ice cubes
Along with avoiding these foods, make sure you don’t use your restored teeth to bite inedible items, such as your nails or a pencil. Avoiding these habits will make your bridge last much longer.
Final Words
After getting your missing tooth replaced with a dental bridge, you should be able to eat more comfortably than before. Just give some time to let your mouth and gums adjust to the new change. If you have any concerns about your dental bridge, talk to our dentists at Alonso Family Dental today. Contact us at (281) 778 8400 to schedule your visit.