Dental bridges are a great way to fill in the gap in your smile but they can erode over time. This may be most noticeable in cold weather. Understanding why cold weather exposes your eroded bridge can help you gauge whether or not repair is necessary.
Cold Weather Will Expose Eroded Bridges
Have you ever noticed that your mouth feels different when it is cold out? That's because cold weather will change the way blood flows in your mouth and affect sensitive areas of your gums. If your bridge has started to erode in your mouth, cold weather will cause pain in the eroded areas, as these places will be more sensitive than normal.
These pains are more likely during the coldest weather, especially in sub-zero temperatures. It should be most common when you breathe in, though breathing out might rattle the eroded bridge in your mouth and cause a little sensitivity.
The Type Of Bridge Impacts The Damage
The erosion damage of your bridges, as well as the affect cold weather has on them, will vary depending on the type of bridges installed:
- Traditional bridges – consist of false teeth held in place by crowns
- Cantilever bridges – similar to traditional bridges but use a support on only one side of the tooth
- Maryland bridges – a simple metal framework hold these false teeth in place, rather than by using crowns
- Implant-supported bridges – when you're missing more than one tooth, an implant-supported bridge will anchor your bridge with an implanted tooth
Eroded areas are more likely to occur around the anchoring areas of each bridge. For example, people with traditional bridges will feel cold sensitivity on both sides of the crown, while those with cantilever bridges will feel it on only one side. Use this information to identify exactly where your bridge is affected by erosion.
The Ice Test Is Good To Try
If you are concerned that your bridges may be eroding, try out this simple test. It involves using an ice cube to identify areas of the bridge that may be impacted:
- Take a small ice cube out of the tray while wearing gloves
- Rub the ice cube along the edges of your gums where the bridge has been installed
- Note any feelings of pain or stiffness that occur
- Move it across your whole mouth in this way to identify problem areas
While this test does not take the place of real dental care, it can help give you a good idea or whether or not you are suffering from any serious concerns. If you are scared that your bridge has eroded, talk to your dental surgeon right away about dental bridge repair techniques.
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