Your new bridge is serious investment in restoring multiple lost teeth and restoring the full function of your mouth. Your bridge is made from materials that are not subject to tooth decay. However, it will still require regular brushing and flossing. Tartar where the bridge meets the gum line can also lead to gum disease. This can create conditions which might cause one or both of the anchoring abutments to fail.
Chronic gum disease, known as periodontitis, can cause your gums to recede. This creates pockets of infection deep in the gum tissue. This bacteria can sometimes damage the cement holding your bridge to the abutments. If left unresolved, this infection can have a negative effect on the roots of your teeth, causing one or both of the anchoring abutments to fail.
There are several different tools that can help you clean your bridge and reduce plaque at the gum line before it can harden into tartar. Interdental brushes have small, angled brush heads, which can help you clean the hard to reach places near the gum line. Water picks or dental water jets, are also a popular way to remove food debris from the bridge and the gum line. A floss threader that dispenses wax coated floss can be helpful if you have trouble working floss into the area.
After you’re done thoroughly cleaning the area. you can rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash to remove lingering food particles and kill residual bacteria.
If you have questions about how to clean your bridge, feel free to call us at (630) 655-0724 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you find the best way to maintain your bridge.