You can clean a dental bridge at home using a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Flossing your dental bridge with a water flosser or floss threaders is another way to keep it clean. They are designed to clean hard-to-reach areas like the spaces between your artificial and abutment teeth.
Interdental brushes are a great option, too. They can fit into tight spaces, making them effective for removing plaque and debris from hard-to-reach areas.
Below, we delve deeper into how to keep your dental bridge clean and increase its longevity.
But before we touch on that, what are dental bridges?
Understanding Dental Bridges and the Importance of Cleaning
A dental bridge is a permanent dental prosthesis used to replace one or more missing or broken teeth. Ideally, they are used to fill gaps left by missing teeth.
Dental bridges are held in place by existing teeth or dental implants.
Unlike partial dentures, which can be uncomfortable, a dental bridge offers more comfort to wearers. They are also more affordable than dental implants.
As a dental bridge wearer, cleaning and maintaining your appliance is crucial for your oral health. It helps prevent the buildup of plaque and food particles, which can result in tooth decay and gum diseases.
Additionally, cleaning your dental bridge properly helps prevent bad breath and stains.
Daily Maintenance for Dental Bridges
Here are some practical tips on how to care for and maintain your dental bridge:
Brushing techniques for dental bridges
Brushing your dental bridge is a common way to keep it healthy and in shape.
Brush your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride paste. Ensure you clean under the bridge using small circular motions.
Use super floss, a type of dental floss, or a floss threader to clean spaces between the teeth. Then, rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash. Do this once a day.
Using mouthwash with a dental bridge is important for maintaining oral hygiene and keeping gum-related diseases at bay.
Flossing around dental bridges
Another way to care for your dental bridge is by prioritizing regular floss.
Floss around your dental bridge.
Floss under the bridge as well using a water flosser like Waterpik, a device that sprays a stream of pulsating water between your teeth to remove debris.
Floss once daily for optimal results.
And after brushing and flossing your bridge, use an antiseptic mouthwash to rinse your mouth. This helps kill bacteria in your mouth, resulting in a fresher breath.
Using an interdental brush for cleaning
An interdental brush is a soft-bristled brush used to clean between teeth and around dental works like bridges and dental crowns.
It is effective in cleaning hard-to-reach areas, especially those you can’t reach with a toothbrush or floss.
To use, gently insert the brush between the teeth. Move it back and forth slowly to dislodge debris and plaques.
Specialized Cleaning Techniques for Dental Bridges
Flossing your dental bridge is an excellent way to remove food particles and plaque. If left unchecked, they can cause decay and gum issues.
Waterpik, aka water flosser, can be used to floss your dental bridge.
Use the device morning and night to clean underneath your bridge and natural teeth. It helps dislodge stuck particles, promoting oral hygiene.
A water flosser can also help clean hard-to-reach areas of your dental bridge. The concentrated jets from the device can eliminate food particles and plaque buildup in areas between your bridge and adjacent teeth.
Floss your teeth and dental bridge once daily for optimal dental health.
If you can’t get a water flosser, applying dental bridge cleaners or solutions is another way to clean your dental bridge.
Dental bridge cleaners are designed to eliminate leftover plaques and bacteria on your bridge. To use, apply a small amount of bridge cleaner to a soft-bristled toothbrush. Then, brush the surface of your dental bridge, focusing on the abutment teeth and both sides of the bridge.
Apply gentle pressure and crucial motions to dissolve plaques and food particles. Contact your dentist for dental bridge cleaner recommendations.
Additional Tips for Maintaining Oral Health with a Dental Bridge
Regular dental checkups and cleanings
Regular cleaning is crucial. It helps keep your bridge clean and fresh while increasing its lifespan.
Create a regular cleaning routine, which includes brushing and flossing. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to brush your dental bridge. Do this gently to avoid damaging the appliance.
To floss, use a Waterpik water flosser.
The device, designed to clean all types of dental restoration, is effective in cleaning areas under the bridge and around crowns.
In addition to brushing and flossing, ensure you prioritize regular dental checkups. Visit a dental clinic twice yearly for professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist.
Regular checkups allow dentists to clean around the bridge thoroughly, reducing your risk of gum diseases and tooth decay.
Dietary considerations for dental bridge maintenance
To maintain your dental bridge, it’s important to avoid certain foods.
Sticky or chewy foods like taffy and gums are an example.
These foods can get stuck under a dental bridge, resulting in discomfort, misalignment, or dental issues.
Other foods to avoid are hard foods (nuts, hard candies), foods with tiny seeds (sesame and poppy seeds), and chewy vegetables. These foods can lodge between your dental bridge and natural teeth, causing discomfort.
Dental bridge-friendly foods to consider are soft foods (mashed potatoes, yogurt, and steamed vegetables), lean proteins (chicken, fish, and tofu), and fruits (berries, seedless fruits, etc.).
Avoiding habits that can damage dental bridges
To increase the longevity and durability of your dental bridge, there are certain habits you need to avoid.
Chewing hard objects like ice or hard candy is one of them. It can exert excessive pressure on your dental bridge, thus damaging it.
Avoid eating sticky foods as well. They can stick to your dental bridge, causing discomfort.
Do you use your teeth as a tool? Desist from such a habit to avoid damaging your dental bridge. Teeth grinding or bruxism is another habit that can wear your appliance.
Conclusion
When oral and dental hygiene is ignored, the teeth under the dental bridge can suffer decay and gum diseases. The result? Cavities and more tooth loss!
Keeping your bridge clean always by prioritizing regular cleaning is the best way to increase the lifespan of your appliance and reduce your risk of dental issues.
Remember to schedule regular dental visits for professional dental cleaning and checkups.
FAQs
How often should you clean a dental bridge?
You should clean your bridge every day. This keeps your dental bridge clean and healthy, preventing the buildup of bacterial and food particles.
What are the ways to replace missing teeth?
A partial denture, a fixed bridge, and a dental implant are the three common ways to replace missing teeth.
What is the best way to clean under a dental bridge?
The best way to clean under a dental bridge is with a floss threader, an interdental brush, or a super floss. A Waterpik is another good option.
