A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth. It is composed of at least two crowns, known as abutments, which are cemented onto the natural teeth on either side of the gap, and one or more false teeth, called pontics, which span the empty space. While it is impossible to clean a bridge using traditional flossing methods, specialized tools are required to clean the space beneath the artificial tooth for long-term oral health.
Why Traditional Flossing Fails
The design of a dental bridge creates a sealed unit, making standard dental floss ineffective. Unlike natural teeth, where floss can be inserted through the contact point, the components of a bridge are fused together. This structure prevents floss from passing between the pontic and the adjacent abutment crowns. The pontic rests closely against the gum line, leaving only a microscopic gap.
Neglecting to clean this small space beneath the pontic poses a serious risk to the entire restoration and the supporting teeth. Food particles and plaque biofilm accumulate in this area, leading to localized gingivitis and bad breath. Abutment teeth remain susceptible to decay and periodontal disease right at the gum line where the crown meets the tooth structure. If decay develops in an abutment tooth, the entire bridge may fail and require replacement.
Specialized Tools for Bridge Care
Because a dental bridge cannot be cleaned with standard floss, specialized tools are necessary to reach the area beneath the pontic. These instruments are designed to effectively disrupt and remove the sticky plaque biofilm that accumulates against the gum tissue.
One common and cost-effective solution is the floss threader, which acts like a large, flexible, plastic needle. This tool features a stiffened end that guides a piece of regular dental floss under the bridge’s pontic and through the space to the other side. Once the threader is pulled through, the regular floss is left in place to clean the surface of the gum and the sides of the supporting teeth.
A convenient alternative is a specialized product known as Superfloss, an all-in-one flossing strand that simplifies the process. This product features a stiffened end for easy threading, a spongy middle section for cleaning wide spaces and the underside of the pontic, and a section of traditional floss for cleaning regular interdental spaces. The spongy filament is particularly effective for sweeping the concave surface of the pontic where it meets the gum tissue.
An oral irrigator, commonly known as a water flosser, is an excellent supplementary tool for bridge maintenance. This device uses a pressurized stream of water to flush out loose food debris and bacteria from around the bridge, especially in the tight space between the pontic and the gum. While water flossers are highly effective for rinsing, they supplement the manual cleaning needed to physically dislodge the stubborn plaque biofilm.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Methods
Cleaning under a dental bridge should be performed at least once daily to prevent plaque and debris accumulation. The most effective technique involves using a floss threader or specialized floss to manually clean the underside of the pontic. To use a floss threader, insert about 18 inches of standard floss through the small loop on the threader.
Gently guide the stiff tip of the threader under the bridge, pushing it through the space until the floss emerges on the opposite side. Once the threader is completely through, release it, leaving the strand of floss pulled taut beneath the pontic. Wrap the ends of the floss around your fingers and use a gentle, back-and-forth “shoe-shine” motion to scrape the underside of the false tooth and the surfaces of the abutment teeth.
When using a water flosser, fill the reservoir and set the device to a comfortable pressure level. Direct the tip of the flosser at a 90-degree angle toward the gum line and the area beneath the bridge. Systematically move the stream along the entire length of the bridge, focusing on flushing out the debris trapped in the microscopic gap between the pontic and the gum tissue. This combination of manual scraping with floss and pressurized rinsing is the gold standard for ensuring the longevity of the dental bridge and the health of the supporting natural teeth.