Preparing for a Dental Bridge: Gum Treatment, Decay Repair and Checking the Supporting Teeth

The gap has been there long enough that your tongue has stopped noticing it. Then you bite into a crust of bread on the other side, again, and realize you have been chewing one-sided for months. The dentist mentions a bridge, and your first thought is the finished tooth. The dentist’s first thought is almost always the teeth on either side of it.

That difference in focus is the whole story of preparing for a dental bridge. A bridge borrows strength from its neighbors. If the gums around those neighbors are inflamed, if a cavity is quietly hollowing one of them out, or if the bone under them is thinner than it looks, the most beautiful porcelain in the world will be anchored to sand.

So the honest timeline often begins with a cleaning rather than a drill, and with a set of X-rays rather than a shade guide. This explainer walks through what that groundwork involves, what it feels like, and the questions worth asking before anyone picks up an impression tray.

What a dental bridge is and how it actually works

A dental bridge is a fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth that is cemented onto the teeth beside the gap, or onto implants placed in the jaw. The false tooth that fills the space is called a pontic. The teeth that hold it are called abutments, a word that simply means the supporting ends, exactly as it does for a road bridge.

In the most common design, the traditional bridge, the dentist reshapes each abutment tooth so that a crown can sit over it. A crown is a cap that covers the whole visible part of a tooth. The two crowns and the pontic between them are made as a single piece, usually porcelain fused to a metal core or a strong ceramic, then cemented into place so that the unit behaves like one solid span. The NHS describes bridges as typically porcelain bonded to precious metal and notes that a bridge is only possible when there are enough strong teeth with good bone support to hold it.

Chewing forces that would once have gone through three separate roots now travel through two. That is the engineering trade at the heart of every bridge. It works well when the abutments are sound. It fails early when one of them is already compromised.

Resin-bonded bridges take a lighter approach, using small metal or ceramic wings glued to the backs of neighboring teeth with little or no reshaping. Implant-supported bridges skip the natural teeth entirely and rest on titanium posts in the bone. Each option asks something different of the mouth, which is why the preparation phase, rather than the fitting, decides which one is realistic for you.

Why preparing for a dental bridge starts weeks before the fitting

Most people picture the bridge appointment as the event. In practice, the Cleveland Clinic describes bridge treatment as spanning at least two visits, and that count excludes any gum or decay work that has to happen first. Think of the fitting as the last chapter.

The reasoning is straightforward once you follow the forces. An abutment tooth under a bridge carries more load than it did on its own, it is harder to clean around, and it is sealed under a crown where small problems can hide. Anything wrong with it before cementation tends to get worse, not better, once it is covered. Decay that would have been a small filling becomes decay under a crown margin. Gum inflammation that would have settled with a good cleaning becomes a pocket that traps plaque beneath a pontic.

Dentists therefore work through the mouth in a rough order of priorities: first stop active disease, then repair structure, then confirm the supporting teeth can take the job, and only then shape and fit. This is sometimes called stabilization, and it mirrors the sequence used across restorative dentistry: control the biology before you build the mechanics.

The preparation phase also protects you from a disappointing surprise. It is far better to learn during the assessment that a planned abutment has a cracked root and will need a different plan, than to discover it a year after a bridge has been cemented over it. The weeks spent on gums, fillings and X-rays are not a delay before the real treatment. They are the real treatment, in the sense that they determine whether the bridge will be comfortable and durable.

Gum disease before a dental bridge: why healthy gums come first

Gum disease is common enough that it should be assumed, not ruled out by a glance. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports that roughly four in ten US adults aged 30 and over have some form of periodontitis, the stage of gum disease in which the bone and fibers supporting a tooth begin to break down. Early gum disease, called gingivitis, is inflammation of the gum margin without bone loss and is largely reversible with thorough cleaning.

Why does this matter so much for a bridge? Because the bridge depends on exactly the tissues that periodontitis destroys. An abutment tooth with reduced bone around its root has less to grip with, and the pontic that sits over the gap needs a stable, non-bleeding gum beneath it to stay clean.

Treatment of gum disease before a bridge usually follows a familiar pathway. For gingivitis, a professional cleaning plus improved daily brushing and interdental cleaning is often all that is needed. For periodontitis, the Mayo Clinic describes scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes hardened plaque from the root surfaces below the gum line and smooths them so the gum can reattach. The dentist or hygienist measures the depth of the gap between gum and tooth with a thin probe; according to Mayo Clinic, healthy pockets are typically no deeper than about 3 mm, and deeper pockets suggest disease.

After deep cleaning, gums are commonly reassessed several weeks later to see whether pockets have shrunk and bleeding has stopped. Only then does the restorative plan move forward. If pockets remain deep, a referral to a periodontist, a gum specialist, may be suggested, and the bridge design may change. That decision rests with your treating team, who can see the measurements.

Decay repair in the supporting teeth: dental bridge preparation steps you might not expect

Tooth decay is bacterial damage to enamel and the softer dentine beneath it, driven by acids that bacteria produce from sugars. MedlinePlus notes that decay is often silent until it reaches the inner layers, which is precisely why an abutment tooth that feels fine can still be a poor foundation.

Before any reshaping, the dentist looks for existing decay in the teeth that will carry the bridge, usually with a combination of visual inspection and bitewing X-rays, the small films that show the sides of teeth where cavities hide between them. Old fillings are checked for cracks, leaking edges and staining underneath. A tooth with a large filling may need a core build-up, meaning the weak filling is replaced with a stronger material shaped to support the crown.

Decay that has reached the pulp, the living tissue at the center of the tooth, changes the plan more significantly. That tooth may need root canal treatment, in which the infected pulp is removed and the canal sealed, before it can be crowned. Root-treated teeth can serve as abutments, but they are more brittle, so the dentist weighs how much natural tooth remains.

Typical decay repair steps in this phase include:

• Removing soft decay and placing a filling or core build-up in each planned abutment.
• Replacing failing older fillings whose edges would otherwise sit under a crown margin.
• Root canal treatment where the pulp is inflamed or infected.
• Treating any decay elsewhere in the mouth, because a high overall decay rate predicts decay at bridge margins later.

None of this is glamorous. All of it is the difference between a bridge that is cemented over sound tooth and one cemented over a problem.

Checking the supporting teeth: what the dentist is really looking for

Assessing abutments is part detective work, part engineering. The dentist is answering one question: can these teeth carry extra load for years without complaint?

X-rays come first. A periapical radiograph shows the whole root and the bone around it, revealing root length, shape and any dark shadow at the tip that suggests infection. The ratio of root buried in bone to crown above the gum matters; a tooth with a long root and generous bone is a better anchor than one with a short root and bone loss. Mobility is checked by gently rocking the tooth; a tooth that moves is a weak abutment. The gums around it are probed for pocket depth and bleeding.

Vitality testing comes next for teeth that have not had root canal treatment. A cold stimulus or a mild electrical test tells the dentist whether the pulp is alive and responding normally. A tooth that responds oddly, or not at all, may need root canal treatment before crowning rather than after.

Position and alignment are assessed too. Abutment teeth that are tilted or rotated may need more reshaping, which removes more enamel, or may make a bridge impractical. The way your teeth meet when you bite, the occlusion, is examined because heavy grinding or an uneven bite concentrates force on the bridge.

Finally, the dentist weighs the span. A gap of one tooth is a modest ask. Two or more missing teeth means a longer pontic and considerably more leverage on the abutments; the physics of a longer span mean forces rise sharply, which is one reason implant-supported options are often discussed for larger gaps. None of these checks commits you to anything. They simply tell the team which designs the mouth can support.

Who is usually offered a bridge, and who is usually asked to wait

A bridge tends to be a reasonable option when the gap is bounded by teeth that are healthy or restorable, when the gums are stable, and when there is enough bone around the abutments to hold them firmly. People who already have crowns or large fillings on the neighboring teeth are sometimes well suited, because those teeth are due to be capped anyway and little extra tooth structure is lost.

Bridges are also commonly considered when implants are not suitable or not wanted: for example, where bone volume is limited, where someone prefers to avoid surgery, or where medical factors make implant healing less predictable. Your dentist and physician can discuss those factors together.

Being asked to wait is not a refusal. It usually means one of the foundations is not ready. Common reasons for a pause include:

• Active periodontitis with bleeding and deep pockets, which needs treatment and reassessment first.
• Untreated decay or a questionable old filling in a planned abutment.
• A recent extraction in the gap: the gum and bone remodel for weeks to months afterward, and a bridge made too soon may develop a visible space beneath the pontic as tissue shrinks.
• A tooth that needs root canal treatment and time to confirm it has settled.
• Uncontrolled grinding or clenching, where a night guard or bite assessment may come first.

Some people are steered away from a traditional bridge altogether, typically because the neighboring teeth are too weak, too mobile or entirely sound and unmarked, in which case removing healthy enamel to anchor a bridge becomes a harder trade to justify. Partial dentures or implants enter the conversation at that point. The choice belongs to you and your treating team, informed by what the assessment shows.

Types of dental bridge and what each asks of the supporting teeth

The preparation you need depends heavily on the kind of bridge planned. The Cleveland Clinic groups bridges into four main designs, and the table below summarizes what each one demands of the mouth around the gap.

Bridge type	How it is held	What happens to neighboring teeth	Typical preparation focus
Traditional	Crowns on teeth both sides of the gap	Both abutments reshaped all around for crowns	Gum health, decay repair and strength of two abutments
Cantilever	Crown on a tooth on one side only	One abutment reshaped	That single tooth must be robust; bite forces assessed carefully
Resin-bonded (Maryland)	Wings bonded to the backs of neighboring teeth	Minimal or no reshaping	Clean, intact enamel for bonding; gum health; usually front teeth
Implant-supported	Crowns on implants placed in the jaw	Neighboring teeth left untouched	Bone volume, gum health, surgical healing time

A few patterns stand out. The traditional design removes the most natural tooth, which is why dentists are particularly careful about the health of both abutments and why a tooth already carrying a crown is sometimes an easier candidate than a pristine one. The cantilever design puts all the leverage on a single tooth, so it is generally reserved for short spans and lighter bite areas.

Resin-bonded bridges are the gentlest on neighbors but rely on bonding strength, so the enamel must be sound and free of large fillings, and the bite must not overload the wings. Implant-supported bridges shift the preparation question from teeth to bone and healing, which involves a separate surgical pathway and its own waiting periods.

Which row fits you is not a matter of preference alone. It falls out of the gum, decay and abutment checks described above, which is exactly why those checks come first.

How long does it take to prep for a dental bridge?

There is no single answer, because the preparation phase expands to fit whatever the assessment finds. A rough map of the stages helps set expectations.

If the gums are healthy and the abutments need no repair, the path is short. The Cleveland Clinic describes the core bridge process as two or more visits: one to reshape the teeth, take impressions and fit a temporary bridge, and a later one to fit the permanent bridge after the dental laboratory has made it. The interval between those visits is set by laboratory turnaround and is typically a matter of weeks rather than months, though your practice will give you its own estimate.

If gum treatment is needed, add the time for cleaning and reassessment. Mayo Clinic notes that after scaling and root planing, the gums are reviewed to check healing before further decisions are made, and that review commonly sits several weeks after the deep cleaning. If pockets have not resolved, a second round or a specialist referral can extend this stage.

If decay repair or root canal treatment is required, each adds appointments. A root-treated tooth is often observed for a period to confirm symptoms have settled before a crown is placed over it. If a tooth in the gap was recently extracted, the socket needs time to remodel; dentists frequently wait for the gum and bone to stabilize before taking final impressions, so the pontic sits snugly against mature tissue rather than against gum that is still shrinking.

Put together, a straightforward case may be measured in weeks, while a mouth that needs gum treatment, several fillings and a root canal may take months. These are typical ranges, not promises, and the schedule is something to agree with your dentist once the assessment is complete.

How painful is it to get a bridge done in your teeth?

This is the question people are most often too embarrassed to ask directly, so it deserves a plain answer. The reshaping of abutment teeth is done under local anesthetic, an injection that numbs the tooth and surrounding gum. While it is working, you should feel vibration and pressure but not pain. If you do feel a sharp sensation, tell the dentist; more anesthetic can be given. The injection itself is the moment most people notice, and it is brief.

Gum treatment is similar. Routine cleaning for gingivitis is usually tolerated without numbing, though sensitive areas may sting. Scaling and root planing, which works below the gum line, is commonly done with local anesthetic, section by section.

The days after preparation are where discomfort, if any, tends to appear. Reshaped teeth have lost some of their insulating enamel and can be sensitive to cold, heat or sweet foods while the temporary bridge is in place. Gums that were cleaned deeply may feel tender and bleed slightly when brushed for a few days. After the permanent bridge is cemented, the bite may feel unfamiliar, and a high spot that the dentist adjusts at a follow-up is common.

Most of this is mild and settles as the tissues recover. Over-the-counter pain relievers are sometimes suggested for short-term soreness; which one, and whether it is appropriate for you, is a question for your dentist or pharmacist, particularly if you take other medicines or have stomach, kidney or heart conditions. Pain that is severe, throbbing, worsening after the first few days, or accompanied by swelling is not part of the expected picture and should be reported promptly.

The following days and weeks: living with a temporary bridge

Between the preparation visit and the fitting, most people wear a temporary bridge made of acrylic or a similar plastic. Its job is to protect the reshaped teeth, hold the gum in position and let you eat and speak normally. The Cleveland Clinic describes this interim stage as a standard part of the pathway.

The temporary is cemented with a weaker adhesive on purpose, so it can be removed without damaging the abutments. That means it can loosen. Chewy, sticky foods such as caramels or chewing gum, and very hard foods such as nuts or ice, are the usual culprits. Cutting food into smaller pieces and favoring the other side of the mouth for a few weeks reduces the risk. If the temporary does come off, keep it, avoid chewing on the exposed teeth, and contact the practice; the reshaped teeth can be sensitive and can drift slightly if left uncovered for long.

Cleaning around a temporary needs a gentle touch. Brush normally, but when flossing, slide the floss out sideways rather than lifting it up, which can catch the edge of the temporary. A soft brush and a fluoride toothpaste help manage sensitivity in the reshaped teeth.

What you notice during this stage is useful information. Make a mental note of any spot that feels high when you bite, any area where food packs under the temporary, and whether the color and shape look right to you. These observations help the dentist refine the permanent bridge before it is cemented, which is much easier than adjusting it afterward. The temporary, in other words, is a rehearsal, and your feedback shapes the final performance.

Is it hard to clean under a dental bridge? How to clean under a dental bridge properly

Honestly, yes, it takes more effort than cleaning a natural tooth, and this is the single most important habit for making a bridge last. Because the pontic is joined to the crowns on either side, ordinary floss cannot pass between the teeth from above. Plaque collects under the pontic and along the crown margins where they meet the gum, and that is exactly where new decay and gum inflammation start.

The solution is to clean beneath the span instead of between the teeth. The most common tools are:

• Floss threaders: a stiff plastic loop that carries ordinary floss under the pontic so it can be drawn along the gum side of the bridge.
• Super floss or bridge floss: a single length with a stiffened end for threading and a spongy middle section that wipes under the pontic.
• Interdental brushes: small tapered brushes that fit into the space under the pontic and along the sides of the abutments, in whichever size your hygienist recommends.
• Water flossers: a pulsing jet that flushes debris from under the bridge; useful as a supplement, though not a complete replacement for mechanical cleaning.

Technique matters more than gadgetry. Thread beneath the pontic once a day, draw the floss or brush along the underside and then up each side of the two abutment teeth where the crown meets the gum. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, angling the bristles toward the gum line. Regular professional cleaning and check-ups let the team catch early problems at the margins while they are still small.

The Cleveland Clinic notes that bridges commonly last five to seven years, and with good oral hygiene may last more than ten. The difference between those figures is largely decided in your bathroom, not the dental chair.

What is the downside of having a dental bridge? Risks and alternatives

Every treatment carries trade-offs, and a traditional bridge has a notable one: healthy tooth structure is permanently removed from the abutments to make room for crowns. Those teeth cannot be returned to their original state. If one abutment later fails, through decay, fracture or gum disease, the whole bridge is usually affected, so a problem with one tooth becomes a problem with three.

Other recognized risks include:

• Decay at the crown margins where the bridge meets the tooth, especially if cleaning under the pontic is neglected.
• Gum inflammation or periodontal disease around the abutments, which is why pre-treatment gum health is checked so closely.
• Sensitivity in the reshaped teeth, usually temporary but occasionally persistent; some abutments later need root canal treatment.
• Loosening or loss of cement, allowing bacteria beneath the crowns.
• Chipping of the porcelain, particularly in people who grind their teeth.
• Bone in the gap continues to shrink over time, because no root or implant stimulates it, which can create a visible space under the pontic years later.

Alternatives have their own balance. A removable partial denture spares the neighboring teeth but is less stable and must be taken out for cleaning. An implant replaces the root as well as the tooth and leaves the neighbors untouched, but involves surgery, healing time measured in months, sufficient bone, and general health that supports healing. Leaving the gap is also an option that some people choose, with the understanding that neighboring teeth may drift and the opposing tooth may over-erupt into the space over time.

No design is universally best. The right answer depends on the state of the neighboring teeth, the bone, your health, your preferences and your willingness to maintain whatever is placed, all of which your treating team can weigh with you.

What people often get wrong about preparing for a dental bridge

Several beliefs circulate widely and quietly steer people toward disappointment. Here are the ones that come up most, corrected against what mainstream evidence actually supports.

“A bridge is a one-visit fix.” The Cleveland Clinic describes a minimum of two visits for the bridge itself, with gum treatment and decay repair potentially adding more. Expecting a single appointment makes the necessary groundwork feel like a delay rather than the point.

“My gums only bleed a little, so they are fine.” Bleeding on brushing is a sign of inflammation, not of brushing too hard. Mayo Clinic lists gums that bleed easily among the signs of gum disease. A bridge placed over inflamed gums inherits that inflammation.

“Once it is cemented, the teeth underneath are protected.” The crown protects the biting surface, but the margin where crown meets tooth is a vulnerable seam. MedlinePlus is clear that decay happens wherever plaque sits against tooth, and that seam is a favorite spot.

“Bridges are maintenance-free compared with dentures.” They are fixed, which is convenient, but they require daily cleaning under the pontic that natural teeth never did.

“If the neighboring teeth are perfect, that is ideal.” Perfect teeth make excellent anchors mechanically, but reshaping untouched enamel is a bigger sacrifice than crowning a tooth that already has a large filling. Dentists weigh this carefully, and it is one reason resin-bonded or implant options are discussed for pristine neighbors.

“Tooth sensitivity after preparation means something went wrong.” Some sensitivity to cold is expected for a while after enamel is removed. Persistent, spontaneous or throbbing pain is a different matter and should be reported.

Questions to ask your care team before the preparation begins

A good consultation is a conversation, and the questions below tend to draw out the information that matters most. You do not need to ask them all; pick the ones that fit your situation.

• What did the X-rays and probing show about the gums and bone around the teeth that would carry the bridge?
• Do either of those teeth need a filling, a core build-up or root canal treatment first, and how will we know the tooth has settled?
• Which type of bridge are you proposing, and why that design rather than the others for my mouth?
• How much natural tooth will be removed from each supporting tooth, and are there options that remove less?
• How many visits do you expect, roughly how far apart, and what will I be wearing between them?
• What should the temporary feel like, and what should I do if it loosens?
• Which cleaning tools do you recommend for underneath the pontic, and can the hygienist show me the technique?
• What are the signs that something is not healing as expected after the gum treatment or the preparation?
• Do I grind my teeth, and if so, does that change the design or mean I need a night guard?
• If one of the supporting teeth fails years from now, what would the options be?
• How would an implant or a partial denture compare in my specific case?
• How often should I come back for check-ups and cleaning once the bridge is in place?

Write the answers down, or ask whether the practice can provide a written treatment plan. A plan that sets out the sequence, gum treatment first, then repairs, then preparation, then fitting, helps you understand why each visit is happening and lets you notice if the order changes.

When to call your doctor or dentist

Mild tenderness, slight gum bleeding for a few days after deep cleaning, and cold sensitivity in reshaped teeth are expected and usually fade. The signs below are not, and warrant a prompt call to your dental practice, or urgent medical care if they are severe.

Contact your dentist promptly if you notice:

• Pain that is throbbing, keeps you awake, or worsens rather than improves after the first few days.
• Swelling of the gum, face or jaw, or a bad taste or pus around a prepared tooth, which can indicate infection.
• A temporary or permanent bridge that comes loose, cracks or falls out.
• A bite that feels clearly high or uneven and does not settle within a few days.
• Bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure after gum treatment.
• Persistent numbness or tingling of the lip, tongue or chin lasting well beyond the expected duration of the anesthetic.
• A sharp edge or fragment that is cutting your tongue or cheek.

Seek urgent medical care, through emergency services if necessary, if facial swelling spreads toward the eye or down the neck, if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing, or if you develop a fever with facial swelling. These are red flags for a spreading infection and need same-day assessment.

People who take blood thinners, have diabetes, a heart valve condition, a weakened immune system or a history of jaw radiation or certain bone medicines should mention this before any gum treatment or tooth preparation; the dental team may liaise with your physician about timing and precautions. Do not stop or change any prescribed medicine on your own for a dental appointment. Any adjustment is a decision for the prescribing clinician in discussion with your dentist.

Frequently asked questions

How painful is it to get a bridge done in your teeth?

The reshaping and any deep gum cleaning are done under local anesthetic, so you should feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. Afterward, the prepared teeth are often sensitive to cold for a while, and gums may feel tender for a few days. Severe, throbbing or worsening pain, or swelling, is not expected and should be reported to your dentist promptly.

Is it hard to clean under a dental bridge?

It takes more effort than cleaning natural teeth because floss cannot pass between the joined units. You clean beneath the pontic instead, using a floss threader, bridge floss with a stiff end, or a small interdental brush, once a day, then brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Your hygienist can demonstrate the technique and suggest the right brush size.

What is the downside of having a dental bridge?

The main trade-off is that healthy tooth structure is permanently removed from the supporting teeth to fit crowns, and if one of those teeth later fails the whole bridge is affected. Other risks include decay at the crown margins, gum inflammation, sensitivity, cement loosening, porcelain chipping and gradual bone shrinkage in the gap. Implants and partial dentures have different trade-offs worth comparing.

How long does it take to prep for a dental bridge?

It depends entirely on what the assessment finds. With healthy gums and sound neighboring teeth, the Cleveland Clinic describes a two-visit process with a laboratory interval of weeks. If gum disease, decay, root canal treatment or a recent extraction need to be addressed first, preparation can stretch to months. Your dentist can give a realistic sequence once X-rays and gum measurements are done.

Can I get a dental bridge if I have gum disease?

Usually not until the gum disease is treated and shown to be stable. Active periodontitis weakens the bone that holds the supporting teeth and leaves inflamed tissue under the pontic. Dentists typically perform scaling and root planing, reassess pocket depth and bleeding several weeks later, and proceed only when the gums have settled. In some cases a periodontist is involved first.

What are the dental bridge preparation steps in order?

A typical sequence is assessment with X-rays and gum probing, treatment of any gum disease and reassessment, repair of decay or failing fillings in the supporting teeth including root canal treatment if needed, then reshaping of the abutments, impressions and a temporary bridge, and finally fitting and adjusting the permanent bridge. The order may change based on what your dentist finds.

Do the supporting teeth need to be healthy for a bridge?

They need to be healthy or restorable, with enough bone and a firm, non-mobile root. The NHS notes a bridge is only possible when there are enough strong teeth with good bone support. Teeth with existing crowns or large fillings can be good candidates, while mobile teeth, short roots or significant bone loss usually point toward other options.

How long does a dental bridge take to settle after fitting?

Many people adjust to the bite and feel within days to a couple of weeks, and a small adjustment of any high spot at a follow-up visit is common. Cold sensitivity in the supporting teeth often fades over weeks as the pulp calms. Persistent discomfort, a bite that still feels wrong, or pain that worsens should be reported rather than waited out.

What happens if a cavity develops under a dental bridge?

Decay at a crown margin is one of the most common reasons bridges fail. If caught early, the dentist may be able to repair the edge, but decay that undermines the abutment often means removing the bridge, treating the tooth and making a new restoration. Daily cleaning under the pontic and regular check-ups are the best protection against this.

Can a bridge be fitted straight after a tooth is extracted?

Dentists often prefer to wait, because the gum and bone remodel for weeks to months after an extraction. A bridge made too early may develop a gap beneath the pontic as the tissue shrinks, trapping food and looking unnatural. Some cases use a temporary solution during healing. Timing is a decision for your treating team based on how the socket heals.

References

• Cleveland Clinic: Dental Bridges
• NIH National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: Periodontal (Gum) Disease
• MedlinePlus: Tooth Decay

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your individual situation.