Dental bridges are a great option for restoring and strengthening your smile. They also help to maintain a proper bite alignment when teeth are missing.
But bridges require some specialized care and cleaning to not only keep them lasting as long as possible, but to keep the surrounding teeth and gums healthy as well.
Below we'll look at how to clean and floss your dental bridge to keep it lasting as long as possible without issues.
Brushing A Dental Bridge
You want to maintain brushing your dental bridge twice per day. When it comes to toothpaste, avoid any abrasive pastes that contain substances like baking soda. These abrasive substances can prematurely wear out the crown of the bridge.
Manual or electric brushes are acceptable when it comes to brushing. Just make sure to select a soft-bristled brush or brush head, and avoid using excessive pressure when brushing.
An electric toothbrush is often helpful due to its built-in timers. This can help you avoid over-brushing your dental bridge.
Flossing A Dental Bridge
Flossing a dental bridge can be tricky due to the nature of its design. As a bridge, there is no gap between the two sides. So flossing is not possible in between the bridge.
Instead, you want to gently floss under the bridge. To do this, a floss threader can be very handy. A floss threader is a thin loop that allows you to easily thread the floss under the area known as the occlusal surface.
To use a floss threader, tie a knot with the floss to the loop end of the floss threader, then thread it under the bridge. From there, just floss as you normally would, then remove the floss threader.
Another option is to use a Waterpik or water flosser. These use a thin jet of water to remove debris from tight spaces in and around teeth and dental work.
With a Waterpik, you can avoid the hassle of threading floss, which can become tedious and may cause you to stop flossing as often as you should. They do have the downside of being somewhat costly, but many patients find the tradeoff to be worthwhile.
Mouthwash Or Rinsing With A Dental Bridge
An antiseptic or fluoride mouthwash is recommended, especially after brushing and flossing your bridge. This helps to remove any debris left behind after cleaning. The fluoride will also help strengthen the teeth surrounding the bridge, contributing to the overall health of the surrounding teeth.
Overall, a dental bridge is simple to clean and maintain with just a few minor modifications to your current brushing and flossing regimen. By making these changes, you help your bridge last as long as possible and maintain proper health around the rest of your smile.
If you have questions regarding your dental bridge, contact the Oral and Facial Surgery Centers of Massachusetts. Our professional staff of highly-experienced surgeons and compassionate technicians can answer all of your questions before and after your procedure.