Flossing is an essential part of any dental care routine. It cleans your teeth, gums, and removes plaque build-up that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
In some cases, flossing may be difficult depending on the type of bridge you have in place. Many bridges are made from natural materials like porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. These materials can be very soft and fragile, which makes flossing them a challenge for some people.
Read on to learn more about How To Use Dental Floss On A Bridge, Toothpicks or Dental Floss? and Effective and Gentle Cleaning with Dental Floss
How To Use Dental Floss On A Bridge
A dental bridge is a great way to repair your smile if you have missing teeth—or had teeth removed due to damage. But cleaning and maintaining dental bridges can present new challenges, especially when it comes to flossing. Bridges are joined, which means there’s no gap between the adjacent teeth and the replacement tooth (abutments and the pontic). So how do you floss?
While it might seem easier just to skip flossing your dental bridge, doing so will only create bigger problems for you in the long run. Plaque and debris will still build up below the gum line. Instead of skipping over your dental bridge when flossing, let Dr. Attar at Attar Dental help you master flossing around these teeth! He’s helped patients in Mundelein and Libertyville preserve their smile through intuitive flossing techniques, like the ones below.
How often should you floss a bridge?
Every day, multiple times each day! Treat a dental bridge like the rest of your teeth. You should floss it every time you complete your oral hygiene routine. Dental bridges need just as much maintenance as any other tooth. Although you can’t use a normal piece of floss, dental bridges require daily cleanings because they’re equally susceptible to plaque, bacteria and decay.
Many patients go too long without flossing their dental bridges because they’re convinced it’s too much of a hassle. The truth is, caring for your dental bridge doesn’t add extra time to an oral care routine. Flossing a dental bridge is quick and easy, much like cleaning the rest of your teeth.
Tip: use a floss threader for tight spaces
A string of floss by itself won’t fit in between the abutments and pontic. They’re all connected at the top, otherwise known as the occlusal surface, which means you need a tool that can fit underneath the bridge. This is where floss threaders come in handy. A floss threader is a small, flexible loop that allows you to weave floss under the occlusal surface.
Floss threaders are intuitive, easy-to-use tools. Simply tie a knot around the loop using normal floss then weave the pointed edge underneath the bridge. A floss threader can fit through the tight space in between the gum line and the bottom of your dental bridge. From there, floss the bridge like you would with a normal tooth before pulling out the floss.
Tip: rely on an interdental brush daily
An interdental brush can also fit underneath a dental bridge. It consists of an inch-long wire coated in soft bristles, which is attached to a small handle. Dentists frequently recommend interdental brushes for people with braces because regular floss is too difficult to weave under the brackets. However, people with dental bridges benefit from them, too.
Interdental brushes take mere seconds to use. The wire and bristles easily slip in between the abutments and pontic. Since the wire is flexible, you can bend it into whichever angle will most effectively clear away plaque and debris beneath the bridge. These brushes are so easy and leave your mouth feeling so clean, you’ll want to use them multiple times a day!
Tip: invest in a water flosser or irrigator
If you want something a bit fancier, talk to your dentist about a water flosser. This nifty gadget creates a highly pressurized stream of water that can blast away plaque and debris built up along the dental bridge. A water flosser is the easiest tool to use because you don’t have to worry about threading floss or an interdental brush into a tight space. The one downside is that water flossers are also the most expensive flossing tool. Nevertheless, they’re often a good investment for general oral health.
Tip: swish thoroughly with antiseptic rinse
After dislodging all that gunk, you don’t want it to keep sitting inside your mouth. Finish up your flossing routine with a quick swish of mouthwash. It will get rid of any remaining plaque and kill bacteria that leads to bad breath and cavities. A combination of flossing and antiseptic rinse will leave your dental bridge feeling healthy and squeaky clean.
Learn to care for dental bridges the right way
Dental bridges have the power to restore your smile to a beautiful, natural, flawless appearance; however, they can be tough to care for. If you’re struggling to floss like many patients in Mundelein and Libertyville, schedule an appointment with Dr. Attar at Attar Dental. As an expert in dental bridges and crowns, he’ll help you master the art of caring for your bridge, so you can floss with confidence and keep your teeth looking their best.
Dental floss toothpick
Is using toothpicks or dental floss a part of your daily routine? If not, make that change today! Cleaning between your teeth is a great way to get rid of food that may have gotten stuck throughout the day. Sometimes we do not even notice these little leftovers, so try to do this every day regardless of whether you feel that little seed from your sandwich between your teeth or not.
Toothpicks or Dental Floss?
Toothpicks and dental floss come in different shapes and sizes so that you can choose the one that fits you and your teeth. Although you can pick one or the other, you can also use both depending on the situation. The most important thing is making an effort every day with brushing and cleaning between your teeth. This will help ensure good dental hygiene with healthy teeth and gums.
Effective and Gentle Cleaning with Dental Floss
Using dental floss once a day is often enough for most people, but feel free to use it more if needed. A good tip to help you remember to floss is to floss every night before brushing your teeth. This will help get rid of any leftover food between your teeth. Which then makes cleaning them with a toothbrush afterwards easier.
There are many different types of dental floss, for example some are designed for especially small spaces, such as Easy Slide Floss. Others expand to ensure more effective cleaning for slightly larger spaces, such as Expand Floss.
If you struggle to reach all of your teeth using regular floss a flosser tool, such as the Easy Clean Flosser, may be right for you. They come with a long handle making it easy to move around in your mouth. Also, this convenient handle makes it easy to store alongside your toothbrush. This may help act as a visual reminder to floss.
When using dental floss in any shape or size remember to be gentle. To maintain clean and healthy teeth gently move the floss up and down between your teeth. Try to avoid any sawing motions from side to side.
A great alternative: Toothpicks
If you are already using dental floss, great, then you do not have to use toothpicks as well. Yet, they may still come in handy especially on the go. They are easy to carry around and can help you remove that stubborn piece of food that got stuck during dinner.
As with dental floss, there are several types of toothpicks to choose from. Our Dental Sticks come in a nice dispenser, making it ready for display on your dinner table. With natural flavour and no additives, it is suitable for all occasions. Another option is Clinic Thin Toothpicks, which contains fluoride and mint. These are recommended for those with narrow to normal spaces between their teeth.
Again, remember to be gentle especially if you have sensitive or receding gums. A good start is to use dental floss daily and use toothpicks as a helpful supplement when needed.
Dental floss thread
Flossing helps prevent gum disease as removing plaque accumulated around the teeth can ensure the mouth remains clean and healthy. Flossing regularly with the best suitable type of floss can help avoid unplanned visits to the dental office. Here’re some of the most recommended types of flosses and their uses.
Simple floss (Dental floss)
Simple dental floss is a thread consisting of thin filaments. It helps in cleaning spaces between the teeth before tooth brushing. These threads can reach and clean teeth from every angle, ensuring the gumline areas remain spotless. You can buy a pack at grocery stores or pharmacies. However, this floss is not recommended for patients who have dental retainers, bridges, or braces.
Floss threaders
A floss threader is a piece of plastic that’s flexible and rigid. It assists the dental floss to pass around orthodontic wires, dental bridges, and retainers. Floss threader appears like a needle and can easily pass from the small space between the teeth.
Patients who have orthodontic appliances fitted in the mouth as a part of treatment do not have to neglect teeth. Floss threaders help them in cleaning all the teeth properly. Floss threader works fine with any floss thread, and you can buy the same from a pharmacy or a shopping mall that has a dedicated section for dental care products. Reusable floss threaders are most recommended, as they can be reused after merely rinsing with warm water after use.
What’s super floss?
The areas around bridges, braces, and dental wires can prove to be a heaven for plaque and harmful bacteria. Thus, these dental fixtures need proper attention while cleaning. And this is where super floss comes into the picture. These flosses have three components that work together—a regular floss thread, spongy floss, and a dental floss threader that has a stiffened-end.
The first part is stiffened-end dental floss. The spongy part (middle segment) of the floss consists of cotton or nylon threads coated with wax. The end part is a simple wax-coated piece of thread.
Super floss allows patients to clean the areas around dental fixtures, remove plaque accumulated under the gumline, and clean dental braces, bridges. Several brands offer flosses with multiple threads for cleaning braces. However, Oral B super floss is the most preferred option. You can purchase it in a box of single floss or a packet of 50.
Floss picks
Floss picks consist of a small handle with two end posts that hold a short string of floss. Also referred to as floss sticks, they can be used as an alternative to a wooden toothpick.
A floss pick is perfect for getting rid of food particles that accumulate between the teeth and along the gum line. It cannot clean areas under braces, retainers, and bridges. Dentists recommend the same for patients who have issues with their hands, fingers and cannot use a wooden toothpick. Some floss picks have threads that can work as tongue scraper as well. You can also opt for floss picks with handles that have no-slip grips.
Oral care products manufacturers also offer battery-powered floss picks in selected markets. These units are designed to clean the teeth, gums, and vibrate to massage these areas.
All-natural products
Patients can also opt for locally manufactured all-natural flosses that are either made from biodegradable silk or other natural materials. There are products with threads infused in tea tree oil or other natural antimicrobial oils.
Water picks and flossers
Advanced water flossers can remove the plaque between teeth within seconds. These devices use bursts of water and air for hasslefree cleaning. The option is best for patients who are uncomfortable with string floss. Users can fill water or mouthwash in the device, aim the nozzle on the affected teeth, and blast the debris away with just a few seconds. Your dentist can recommend the best water flosser as per your dental structure.
There’s no one-floss-for-all
One flossing product may not be suitable for all family members. Preferences of members change over time as per the individual’s dental health condition. Children initially need child-sized flossers and can opt for an electric flosser at a later stage. Similarly, persons with dental fixtures cannot do with simple floss and require floss threaders or super floss.
Unfortunately, just around 4 out of 10 Americans spend time in flossing daily. Initially, it may seem time-consuming, but it only takes a few minutes once you get used to the same. Individuals who floss just once should consider doing it before brushing every day so that the plaque and bacteria loosened after flossing are removed while brushing.
If you need a reputed dentist who can recommend the best type of floss for you or your child, you should fix an appointment at TruCare dental clinic in Roswell (GA).
FAQs Related to Flossing
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about flossing, have a look:
1.How often should you use super floss?
It is advisable to floss every day. While cleaning the teeth, dental fixtures need proper attention. Ignorance can lead to the buildup of plaque and harmful bacteria. Therefore, cleaning with Super Floss helps manage oral hygiene while protecting the teeth from caries/decay and periodontal problems on the abutments.
2. Is it OK to not floss with braces?
No, flossing is essential if you are wearing braces. Braces can easily accumulate food particles, liquids, or sugars when you eat or drink something. If not cleaned properly, it may lead to serious teeth and gum problems. Therefore, to ensure the good health of your teeth and gums, you must not ignore brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.
3. How many times can you use a floss stick?
Flossing is done to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from between the teeth. Reusing the same floss stick may reintroduce the old bacteria and even some varieties of bacteria. Therefore, it is better not to use the same floss stick again.
4. Is a water flosser good for braces?
Yes, using a water flosser for braces is safe. It is a perfect tool to reach in those hard-to-reach corners
and gaps. Thus, help to keep teeth healthy and clean.
5. Can I use a normal thread for flossing?
Normal threads have a rough texture that may harm the gums if flossing is not done carefully. Besides, normal threads can break easily and get stuck in between the teeth. Instead, use dental floss that is specifically made for flossing purposes and is gum friendly. Dental floss can remove debris and plaque in-between the teeth easily without causing any harm.