“How do you take care of a dental bridge?”

Hi,

You can buy a water pik and clean under the bridge or buy a floss treader.

Flossing all around and under the bridge, just a suggestion if possible, and implants are a much more superior treatment.

If it is a permanent cemented bridge all you need to do is brush and floss. The best way to floss underneath the false tooth is to use a floss threader, which can be purchased at any pharmacy.

You need to follow your dentist instructions for the maintenance of your teeth including your bridge. You need to make sure to maintain the area under the bridge where the missing tooth is by using a super floss or regular floss and a floss threader.

Taking care of a dental bridge is important. You have made an investment in your mouth care. Make sure you brush your teeth morning and night. You should be using a soft tooth brush.
Flossing your teeth should be done first. I like finger flossing. You wrap the floss around your fingers. You slide the floss along each side of your tooth. You don't jam the floss on the pointed gum tissue. You go down as far as you can on each side of the tooth. You need to invest in floss threaders. Some threaders are like fishing line that has a loop. They look like
needle threaders only in plastic fish line. You place the floss inside the loop and pull the floss under your bridge to the inside of your mouth. You must clean under your bridge. You put the floss down against each side of the tooth. You will be surprised how much food gets under a bridge. If you don't clean under the bridge, your gum tissue can get infected. It can hurt. It will have an odor. The teeth, even though you have crowns, can decay at the gum line. Brush your teeth at a 45 degree angle. Brush on the cheek side and the tongue side. You have bone there. Get a tongue cleaner for your tongue. Rinse you mouth with your mouth wash or a 1/2 teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz. glass of water. I like mouth irrigators. They flush out tiny food particles. Remember, you want your teeth and bridge to last. Take care of those teeth you want to keep!

There are fixed bridges, which you cannot remove. There are also removable partial dentures which should come out for sleeping. You can always ask your dentist what is recommended. For a fixed bridge: brushing and using a threader to floss underneath and clean the internal surfaces of the neighboring teeth is best. For a removable partial: careful brushing and flossing of the neighboring teeth, cleaning the appliance with its own brush (it can be bigger and slightly firmer than a brush for teeth), as well as soaking the appliance in an appropriate solution while you sleep.

Brenda Berkal, DMD