How to Clean Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are advised to patients at Lane and Associates Family Dentistry by highly trained dentists and are fabricated by highly trained dental technicians. Gold or metal alloys have historically been the materials of choice for the fabrication of dental bridges. There are a few reasons to construct dental bridges out of these materials, the first of which is the durability of the material. There are also a few other advantages.
Dental bridges are considered by Lane’s cosmetic dentists to be one of the most effective treatment choices available for restoring sparkling smiles. Did you know that you need to care for the dental bridge in the same way as you would for your natural teeth? You did get it properly the first time! If they are taken care of properly, these dental restorations can last a lifetime. Bridges in the mouth are a type of restoration that are well-known for their ability to provide both strength and aesthetics.
However, good maintenance is the key to ensuring that restorations last as long as possible in spite of the rapid pace at which dentistry and its associated materials and technology are advancing. If the dental bridge is not brushed, plaque and germs can build up on it, which can lead to bad breath or dental disease in the abutments. This can occur if the dental bridge is not cleaned properly.
If proper oral hygiene is not practiced, the teeth that are covered by a dental bridge run the risk of developing cavities and gum disease, as stated by the dentists at Lane and Associates. Always keep in mind that this could lead to the loss of both the abutment teeth and the dental bridge if you do this.
How to Clean a Dental Bridge
When it comes to cleaning around and beneath a bridge, the dentists at Lane and Associates Family, Dentistry recommend using the various methods listed below.
- Brush the dental crown or dental bridge thoroughly twice a day with a toothbrush that has soft bristles and a toothpaste that does not contain abrasive ingredients.
- Use a water flosser to clean your teeth once a day, and thereafter, rinse your mouth with fluoride-containing mouthwash.
- It is recommended that you clean your dental bridge with a Waterpik in order to prevent the buildup of plaque around the teeth and the bridge.
- It’s important to steer clear of unhealthy routines like biting on hairpins and opening packages with your teeth.
- Maintain frequent appointments with your dentist at Lane and Associates Family Dentistry.
Can You Use Dental Floss on a Dental Bridge?
Because a dental bridge is a joint restorative device, floss cannot pass through between the teeth within the bridge from the top. Since interdental spaces in teeth are cleaned using a piece of floss, it is impossible to clean them with a dental bridge. Therefore, it should be obvious that normal floss cannot be used to floss in the spaces between the bridge.
It is recommended that you continue to clean under the bridge using a piece of super floss, a floss threader, or an interdental brush, as recommended by the knowledgeable dentists at Lane and Associates. A water pick is one more excellent choice that you have available to you.
Should You Use Mouthwash With a Dental Bridge?
Patients are given specific instructions by Dr. Lane to perform a fluoride or antibacterial mouthwash rinsing once each day. If you use a mouthwash, not only will you be able to finish the work of cleaning your smile, but you’ll also be helping to maintain good oral health while protecting your bridge from gum disease and tooth decay.
It is essential to take proper care of the dental bridge in order to guarantee that the gum line is in the best possible state so that it can perform its duty of providing support for the teeth. Plaque and bacteria can be prevented from building up in your mouth by regularly using mouthwash.
While you are wearing the dental bridge, if you are at an increased risk of cavities or gum disease, then selecting this alternative is the best choice for you.
What Should I Not Eat If I Have A Dental Bridge?
In general, you should avoid biting into hard foods like nuts, bone, or ice, and this is especially important if your bridge is made of porcelain or ceramic.
If you break a hard candy with your teeth or tear open a bag of chips with your bridge, you run the risk of chipping or fracturing the ceramic. A dental bridge that has been damaged will require replacement.
The bridge ought to be and can be used in the same way as natural teeth, with the exception of tough meals. You won’t have to worry about the bridge coming loose when eating your favorite steak or biting into an apple, as you would if you wore removable dentures.One of the most significant benefits of getting a dental bridge is increased flexibility in terms of the kinds of foods that can be eaten.
Maintaining Your Dental Bridge with Regular Cleans and Checkups
You should go to the dentist at least twice a year to have your teeth professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist or a dentist. Because conventional brushing and flossing cannot eliminate the dental calculus that has built up around your teeth and bridge, this is the root of the problem. Dental calculus is a form of hardened dental plaque that carries bacteria.
Therefore, having your teeth scaled and polished can help avoid dental or gum disorders.
In addition to cleaning it, you should also see your dentist on a regular basis so that they can check the condition of your bridge. This allows them to identify potential issues with your bridge at an early stage, which helps to guarantee that it continues to be in good health.
How to Clean Under a Fixed Bridge?
It is true that dental work such as crowns and bridges can be difficult to maintain clean. The majority of dental practices, such as those in Lane, believe that a Water Flosser is able to clean around and underneath any form of dental work or restorations that may be present in a patient’s mouth.
Plaque seekers are an additional type of chemical that can be used to clear the plaque that builds up around different kinds of dental procedures. Plaque Seekers are generally acknowledged to be superior to dental floss when it comes to cleaning under dental bridges. In order to promote healthier gums, the Plaque Seeker Tip is engineered to make use of pulsating water. The bristles on this cleaning tool are designed to remove the tough plaque that has accumulated on the surface of the bridge.
Can Food Get Stuck Under a Dental Bridge?
It is also possible to refer to a dental bridge as a “floating” prosthetic tooth. It is attached to two dental crowns on either side of the implant. It is simple for food to become lodged beneath or around a bridge since there is a gap below the prosthetic tooth where it should not be.
It is vital to get regular check-ups by Lane Dentists to ensure that your dental bridge is functioning properly in order to maintain the health of the dental bridge. If you want to maintain the health of the dental bridge, then it is important to get regular check-ups. It is recommended that you bring interdental brushes and/or floss threaders with you wherever you go, or that you use a Waterpik at home, in order to remove food particles from the dental bridge. In the event that you are unable to return home immediately after eating, another option is to just gargle with water numerous times.
Does a Waterpik Work with Dental Bridges?
When was the last time you used a Waterpik? It is one of the most efficient ways to maintain the health of your mouth! It can be challenging to maintain the cleanliness of dental work such as crowns and bridges. The Waterpik is a sort of water flosser that can also be referred to by its other name, the Water Flosser. Its purpose is to clean in and around all kinds of dental work and restorations, including dental bridges.
The interproximal areas can be cleaned with dental floss, however the areas under dental bridges cannot be cleaned with dental floss. To achieve this objective, it is essential to make use of a Waterpik or another similar device. It is helpful to clean beneath the bridge and around the crowns, as these are areas where food and germs can become trapped.
At Lane and Associates Family Dentistry, our staff places a strong emphasis on the need of taking the necessary steps to maintain both the natural teeth and any dental bridges that may be present. To ensure that we never forget to brush and floss our teeth, the routine for maintaining our oral health should be incorporated into our daily lives as part of the maintenance routine. At LaneDDS, our dental staff is committed to educating patients and providing the highest quality dental care possible for dental bridges. Maintaining a healthy mouth can be made easier with our assistance, especially if you are interested in gaining an understanding of how to clean under a dental bridge.
Why You Need To Clean A Dental Bridge
How To Care For Your Dental Bridge
Dental bridges are an excellent and long-lasting option for the replacement of one or more lost teeth. Bridges are not only more comfortable but also more aesthetically beautiful than dentures, which means that you won’t have to deal with the inconvenience of having to remove them every day to clean them. However, dental bridges still need to be cleaned and maintained in the appropriate manner on a daily basis.
A dental bridge consists of two or more dental crowns that are cemented into place over neighboring teeth, which are also referred to as abutments. The crowns are what hold the tooth replacement in place (called a pontic).
Along with the ability to masticate a wider variety of meals comes the duty of keeping the dental bridge in good condition. In this section, we will discuss the reasons why it is essential to clean your bridge correctly and offer some advice on how to properly maintain your bridge.
Why You Need To Clean A Dental Bridge
There are still tiny gaps even though the prosthetic tooth (called a pontic) is rather near to the gum surface directly above the missing tooth ridge. Plaque and bacteria have the potential to continue to build up there. This can lead to halitosis, also known as foul breath, or dental disease in the teeth that are used to support the bridge (abutments).
If proper oral hygiene is not practiced, the teeth that are covered by the dental bridge run the risk of developing gum disease and experiencing tooth decay.It is possible that the abutment teeth and the bridge will be lost as a result of this.
How To Clean A Dental Bridge?
1. Dental Tools You Can Use to Clean Under a Dental Bridge
Because the bridges are connected together, it is impossible for floss to enter the spaces between the individual teeth units that make up the bridge when viewed from the top (occlusal surface). Therefore, standard floss cannot be used to floss between the bridge’s supports.
It is in your best interest to maintain regular cleanings under the bridge using either a super floss, a floss threader, or an interdental brush. A water pick is another option that can be employed.
Our dental hygienist will demonstrate how to properly clean your dental bridge by using a floss threader in the following video.
2. Brush Your Teeth As Usual
Brushing your teeth and using dental floss should, of course, go hand in hand. Brushing your teeth is typically done first, followed by flossing, in order to remove the majority of the plaque that has accumulated on your teeth. You should clean your teeth with a toothbrush with soft bristles and move it in a circular motion while angled at a 45-degree angle towards the gums.
Maintaining good oral hygiene while using a dental bridge is fairly straightforward because to the wide availability of simple aids such as those described above. Patients have not reported a material increase in the amount of time they spend on the routine maintenance of their oral hygiene routine.