People who make excellent candidates for dental bridges often have one or more teeth missing consecutively from one area in their mouth. You could have one missing tooth, or even up to three in a row missing—either way, you could make a great dental bridge candidate. This is because dental bridges effectively “bridge” the gap between teeth, even if you’re missing more than one tooth. However, dental bridges usually aren’t an option when you’re missing more than three consecutive teeth in one area. When you’re missing a few teeth, talk with your dentist about whether or not a dental bridge could restore your smile!

You Have Healthy Teeth

Dental bridges need healthy teeth on either side of the missing spaces in your mouth in order to be successful. This is because these teeth will essentially support the dental bridge and securely anchor it for years to come—dental bridges typically last around six years, but can last even longer if you take great care of your smile! Having dental bridges requires that you take excellent care of your teeth.

If you have tooth decay or gum disease surrounding the teeth or tissues near your missing teeth, you won’t be able to qualify for dental implants until these conditions have been treated. If your teeth aren’t in great shape but you have enough jaw bone, you may qualify for implant-supported bridges, which take advantage of dental implants in order to properly support the bridge!

You Don’t Like the Idea of Dentures

Dental bridges are essentially “fixed” dentures, meaning they are permanently adhered to your teeth and not meant to come out. However, partial dentures are also an option for patients that are missing one or more teeth. Partial dentures are typically removable, require some extra cleaning, and tend to not be as secure as dental implants or dental bridges.

If you dislike the idea of having a partial denture, consider dental bridges. If you’re a candidate for a partial denture, you may also qualify for a dental bridge, which provides more security than partial dentures but without the need for oral surgery like dental implants!

A dental bridge could be the solution to your missing teeth! Dental bridges effectively close gaps, match your natural teeth, and prevent the uncomfortable and unsightly shifting that can come with missing teeth. Talk to your dentist about whether or not a dental bridge would be right for you—they can conduct a thorough evaluation and talk through all your options with you!

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Financing

There is financing available for those who need it when it comes to dental implants. These companies (such as Care Credit and Prosper Healthcare) make it possible for you to get the care you need and then make monthly payments later. Financing is a great option for those who opt for dental implants because dental implants require minimal maintenance and last for many years, so you can minimize any future dental work and be able to steadily pay off the loan month to month. Your dental implants will look great and last a long time; financing is an option worth considering to afford this care.

In-Office Payment Plans

The office doing your dental care understands the need for flexibility, especially when it comes to specialty dental work. Talk with your dentist office about the possibility of an in-office payment plan. These payment plans will be set up based on what you are able to pay from month to month to cover your dental care. If implants are the best option for you but your insurance won’t cover the cost or will only cover part of the cost, in-office payment plans may be able to help you afford the cost. Talk with your dentist to discover how in-office payment plans can make your dental implants available and affordable for your smile.

Prevent Future Damage

One of the reasons that dental implants are a great investment for your oral health is because they help prevent any future damage to your teeth. If you were to opt for a dental bridge to replace your missing tooth or missing teeth, you would need to get to adjacent teeth sanded down to properly apply the bridge. With dental implants, the only teeth affected are the missing teeth. Dental implants will save you money in the long run because you won’t have the health risks and damage from not fixing the missing or damaged teeth or going with a cheaper option that might not be the best for your mouth.

If you need dental implants, don’t let the cost stop you from receiving the care that you need. Consider financing options, discuss in-office payments with your dentist, and consider the cost savings of dental implants for the future. Your oral health is important, so don’t skip on the care you need. Dental implants today are more affordable than ever!

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You May Be Brushing too Hard

Let’s set the record straight— harder brushing does not equal better brushing. In fact, harder brushing can do much more damage than good. Hard brushing over time can actually wear down the enamel (the protective hard white part) of your tooth over time, therefore leading your tooth to be largely unprotected in the face of cold iced tea or hot spicy curry. After the enamel gets worn down, it exposes dentin, a soft substance that helps sustain the tooth. The dentin is linked directly to the nerve of your
tooth, and here is where your sensitivity happens. Hard brushing is also bad news for your gums—it can cause gum recession, further exposing the dentin. Proper brushing involves gentler brush strokes.

You May be Grinding Your Teeth

People who grind their teeth are generally not aware of the fact that they are doing it. It can happen in our sleep, when we’re blissfully unaware of the grinding taking place. The ligaments that connect the tooth to your jaw can get inflamed when you grind, as you are putting an excessive amount of force on your jaw. Your nerve then gets aggravated and makes your mouth more affected by extreme temperatures. Clenching and grinding your teeth is not healthy, and you may not even be aware that you’re doing it. Seeing your dentist can help to determine if you’re a grinder and if so, what you can do about it. Your tooth sensitivity may be a result of a clenched or grinding action that can be bad news for your whole mouth!

You May Have Tooth Decay or Gum Disease

Tooth sensitivity can affect one tooth or several—regardless of how extreme your tooth sensitivity is, it could be pointing at a larger issue. Tooth sensitivity may be the result of tooth decay or gum disease. If these problems go untreated while you’re buying sensitive toothpastes and overlooking the issue, your problem could get a lot worse without you even knowing it. The longer you wait to address your sensitivity, the more costly the solution could be. Visit your dentist to find out if you may be experiencing symptoms of gum disease or tooth decay.

Don’t just accept your sensitivity as part of your mouth health—a healthy mouth should not be painful. Instead of buying products that only mask the issue, visit your dentist to make sure your mouth is healthy. Your tooth sensitivity may be trying to tell you that you’re brushing too hard, grinding your teeth, or have a more serious issue such as tooth decay or gum disease going on.

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