A dental bridge is a common dental appliance used to quite literally bridge the gap between a tooth that is missing and healthy teeth on either side of the gap. Generally, the most common type of bridge is made using 2 or more crowns to support a prosthetic placed in the middle. This prosthetic is known as a pontic.
For some patients, dental appliances like crowns and dental bridges can present something of a challenge when it comes to cleaning. Due to this, many patients end up purchasing tools like the Waterpik, which helps eliminate the problem of plaque accumulating around the dental bridge. Products like this are especially useful for dental bridges located in hard to reach places. Sometimes, better oral hygiene habits (and better bridge cleaning habits) simply come down to using the right tools for the job. If it’s easy, you’ll do it! So find the most comfortable tool for cleaning under your bridge and it will quickly become second nature.
In addition to the Waterpik which can help get under your pontic and get out all the stubborn plaque, you can also try using a bridge threader. Similar to the Waterpik, a bridge threader allows you to thread floss under your dental bridge so you can more effectively floss under the prosthetic.
In addition to brushing after every meal and flossing every day, gargling thoroughly with an antiseptic mouthwash is another great habit to adopt. Gargling with mouthwash obviously helps eliminate plaque and bacteria, but it also helps with your breath by rinsing out all the nooks and crannies that bad-breath causing germs like to hide.
Finally, you might also come across soft dental picks with small bristle-like nubs on them. Many patients often appreciate these for their stiffness, which makes it a little easier to get enough leverage to get under the pontic without much hassle.
No matter what product you choose to ensure your dental bridge is plaque free, the most important thing to remember is to be diligent. Diligent oral care that puts a focus on comprehensive cleaning throughout your mouth is the most surefire way to avoid the need for further tooth replacement. Use the placement of your bridge as a reminder that less-than-dedicated oral care is one of the easiest ways to shorten the life of your tooth, and adopting the habits that encourage proper care for your new dental prosthetic will ultimately save you money and hassle in the long run.
