A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth, restoring both function and appearance. This restoration is cemented onto the adjacent natural teeth, known as abutment teeth, or dental implants. Unlike natural teeth, the bridge forms an interconnected unit with an artificial tooth, or pontic, suspended in the gap. Cleaning the area beneath this structure is a specialized task, but is fundamental to the longevity of the bridge and the health of the supporting tissues.
Why Standard Flossing Does Not Work for Bridges
Traditional flossing involves sliding the strand down between two separate teeth until it reaches the gumline. This simple process is impossible with a dental bridge because the artificial teeth (pontics) are physically fused to the crowns on the abutment teeth. This fusion creates a solid, continuous unit that has no open space between the crowns for floss to pass through from the top.
The pontic sits directly above the gum tissue in the space where the missing tooth root once was, forming a small, inaccessible channel underneath it (the sub-pontic space). This area is a prime location for trapped food particles and plaque biofilm to accumulate. Since regular floss cannot enter this area, specialized tools and techniques are required to thread floss underneath the bridge to physically disrupt the sticky bacterial film.
Essential Tools for Bridge Cleaning
The primary tool for manually cleaning under a bridge is the floss threader, which acts like a large, flexible plastic needle. It features a stiff end that is rigid enough to be pushed through tight spaces, along with a loop or eye to hold the dental floss. Standard dental floss is then inserted into this loop to be carried under the bridge.
The alternative to the threader is a specialized product called Superfloss, which integrates three components into one strand. It has a stiffened end that functions exactly like a floss threader, allowing for easy insertion under the pontic. Following this is a spongy, thicker section designed to effectively scrub plaque from open spaces, and a final section of regular floss for cleaning adjacent teeth.
Step-by-Step Guide to Flossing Under a Bridge
Threading the Floss
Begin by preparing your floss: either thread approximately 18 inches of standard dental floss through the loop of a floss threader or use a pre-cut Superfloss strand. Gently insert the stiff end of the threader or Superfloss underneath the pontic from either the cheek or tongue side. Pull the threader all the way through until the cleaning section of the floss emerges on the opposite side.
Cleaning the Pontic Area
Once the floss is positioned, hold both ends and move the strand back and forth in a gentle, “shoe-shine” motion. This movement allows the floss to scrape the underside of the pontic and the gum tissue below it. Focus on cleaning the entire width of the artificial tooth and the supporting gumline, physically removing trapped debris and the sticky plaque film.
Cleaning Abutment Teeth
After cleaning the area beneath the pontic, use the regular portion of the floss to clean the sides of the supporting abutment teeth. Wrap the floss in a “C” shape around the side of the natural tooth. Slide the floss up and down the tooth surface and slightly beneath the gumline to clean the surfaces that anchor the bridge.
Finishing the Process
Gently pull one end of the floss completely out from under the bridge to remove it, ensuring the strand does not snap back onto the gums. Repeat this entire process for every space beneath each pontic in the bridge structure. Performing this manual cleaning technique daily is the most effective way to prevent bacterial accumulation and protect the supporting teeth.
Advanced Cleaning Aids and Tips
While manual flossing is necessary to dislodge plaque, supplementary devices can enhance cleaning. A water flosser, also known as an oral irrigator, uses a targeted, pulsating stream of water to flush out loose debris and bacteria. This device is effective at rinsing the sub-pontic area and the gumline of the abutment teeth after manual flossing has disrupted the plaque.
Interdental brushes are another useful aid, especially if there are wider gaps between the pontic and the gum tissue or abutment teeth. These small, cone-shaped brushes can be gently inserted into these larger spaces to manually scrub surfaces the floss may not fully reach. Supplementing daily manual flossing with these advanced tools helps maintain the health of the bridge and surrounding oral structures.