Dental bridges can be an excellent solution when a tooth is lost, and they are designed to put up with all the pressure that comes with eating and talking. However, they won't last forever. In fact, a dental bridge may sometimes fail earlier than expected. This may occur due to anything from a shift in the anchor teeth to poor oral health. If this happens, you'll need to know what to do if you're to prevent any complications and have the issue fixed as soon as possible.

With that in mind, here are five things you should do when your dental bridge breaks.

1. See a Dentist Right Away

Firstly, you should see a dentist without delay. If your regular dentist is not available, you can contact an emergency dentist. You can describe the situation to them on the phone to give them an idea of the extent of damage, and in most cases, they will arrange for you to visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible.

2. Avoid Placing Pressure on the Area

Between the time the bridge breaks and the time you see your dentist, it's vital you don't make the problem any worse by placing pressure on either the bridge itself or the supporting teeth. Avoid eating anything and try to avoid the temptation to probe too much with your tongue. Even if your broken bridge isn't producing any pain at present, it could do so if you continue to place pressure on the affected area.

3. Keep the Area Clean

If you were eating when your bridge broke or any bleeding occurred as a result of the break, it's a good idea to clean out the area. You can do this by simply washing your mouth out with either warm salt water or medicated mouthwash.

4. Do Not Attempt to Remove Part of the Bridge

If part of your bridge has come away or one part feels loose, it can be tempting to pull away the rest, especially if you are experiencing discomfort or irritation. However, doing so can end up damaging the supporting teeth or cutting the soft tissue of your mouth, so don't attempt to push or pull any loose parts, even if they seem about to come away naturally.

5. Save Any Broken Pieces

If any pieces of your dental bridge have completely come away, collect these pieces and bring them to the dentist with you. The bridge itself can probably not be saved, but a dentist will often be able to look at those pieces and determine why the damage occurred. This means your next bridge can be designed with this information in mind.

For more information, contact a dental centre near you.