Can You Get a Cavity Under a Dental Bridge?

How Can a Cavity Form Under a Bridge?

Food and plaque can collect around the edges of a bridge, especially where the bridge meets the gum. If that area isn’t cleaned properly, bacteria produce acids that attack the tooth. Over time, that can lead to decay.

The tricky part is getting to the area. A normal toothbrush won’t clean every surface underneath the replacement tooth, so you need to clean around the supporting teeth and beneath the bridge itself.

Where Decay Usually Starts

• Around the edge of a crown, where plaque tends to hang around longer than you’d expect.

• Beneath the bridge itself, particularly if cleaning there has become an afterthought.

• A tooth that already had a large filling is worth watching closely, since it has less natural tooth structure left.

What Does a Cavity Under a Dental Bridge Feel Like?

You may eventually notice sensitivity when eating something cold or sweet. Pain when biting can also happen, especially if the decay has become deeper. A bad taste or smell around the bridge isn’t something I’d ignore either, particularly if it keeps coming back after brushing.

But symptoms don’t always show up early. Regular dental checks matter because your dentist can examine the bridge and use dental X-rays when needed to look for decay that isn’t visible from the outside.

Can the Bridge Stay in Place?

It depends on how much decay there is and where it’s located. Small areas can sometimes be treated without removing the bridge. If the dentist can’t properly reach the cavity, though, taking the bridge off may be necessary.

And if the supporting tooth has been badly weakened, the treatment becomes more involved. The bridge might need to be removed so the tooth can be treated properly, and a new bridge may eventually be needed.

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