I just had a temporary bridge cemented onto my upper teeth yesterday. I noticed that my gums for the upper half of my mouth have turned very dark compared to my lower gums. Not bright red, but a very dark pink. I've never had problems with my gums before. I'm not experiencing any pain although there is a smidgen of discomfort (but I think I'm simply unused to the feeling of the bridge in my mouth). Whenever I try touching the bridge using my tongue, I find it causes my tongue to feel itchy. I can't tell if it's swollen - it doesn't look like it. No bleeding or anything. I've brushed my teeth but only felt a slight stinging last night and haven't felt it since brushing again. I've tried eating both cold and hot food and experienced no sensitivity at all. Also, I have suddenly developed a slight lisp when talking.

Is this an allergic reaction to the temporary bridge? My permanent crown will be finished by the end of the week so I'm nervous that this reaction that I'm having can cause problems later on.

Why not ask your orthodontist?

You are over reacting. Of course your mourh and gums are sensitive to the temp appliance. That is normal.

Don't test yourself when eating. You can't eat all you normally eat right now. Nor will you for a while when you have yr permanent bridge on.

All ll wll turn out well and yr gums will be sensitive normally.

I am sure yr ortho knows you have questions. Best person to ask. Good luck relax

I have to agree with Tickle, have to spread the rep though.

It takes time to get used to anything new, and a bridge is something very new, and needs you to take time to adjust to it.

I had braces. I remember the first day I got them, I thought I'd never survive. Eating was hard, brushing my teeth was hard and painful, my tongue was cut because I constantly ran it over my once smooth teeth that now had braces on it.

Then I got the braces off and got a retainer. Again I thought I'd die. Every time I tried to swallow the saliva would go up into the retainer that was on the roof of my mouth. It was horrible.

But, I got used to each of these, and learned to accept them, and adjust to them. You will too. But you have to give yourself time.

If you have issues, call your dentist. Any questions you have can be answered best by him/her.

This too shall pass, I promise. :)

Bridges aren't usually done by an orthodontist. If you feel itchy, you could be having an allergic reaction. Call your dential office or the specialist who put in the temporary bridge. I'm allergic to the temporary cement, not the permanent kind. Also, you can develop allergies at any time. Call, ask questions, and make an appointment if you are feeling unsure.

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Originally Posted by Alty

I have to agree with Tickle, have to spread the rep though.

It takes time to get used to anything new, and a bridge is something very new, and needs you to take time to adjust to it.

I had braces. I remember the first day I got them, I thought I'd never survive. Eating was hard, brushing my teeth was hard and painful, my tongue was cut because I constantly ran it over my once smooth teeth that now had braces on it.

Then I got the braces off and got a retainer. Again I thought I'd die. Every time I tried to swallow the saliva would go up into the retainer that was on the roof of my mouth. It was horrible.

But, I got used to each of these, and learned to accept them, and adjust to them. You will too. But you have to give yourself time.

If you have issues, call your dentist. Any questions you have can be answered best by him/her.

This too shall pass, I promise. :)

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Thanks! I guess I'm just a bit of a hypochondriac. I was able to see and speak with a dentist (not the one I'll be seeing at the end of the week since he's fully booked) and she told me my gums are probably just reacting to the temporary bridge. No one has told me before that this sort of thing is normal so I had no idea what was going on. Some reassurance goes a long way. :)

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Originally Posted by teacherjenn4

Bridges aren't usually done by an orthodontist. If you feel itchy, you could be having an allergic reaction. Call your dential office or the specialist who put in the temporary bridge. I'm allergic to the temporary cement, not the permanent kind. Also, you can develop allergies at any time. Call, ask questions, and make an appointment if you are feeling unsure.

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Yes, you are correct. I did speak with a dentist (since I wasn't able to contact my specialist), and she says that it could be a mild allergic reaction to the temporary bridge. My doc prescribed me with Benadryl for the mean time and it definitely helped me.