How to Clean a Dental Bridge: Essential Tips for a Healthy Smile

Reviewed by Dr. Matthew Young, DDS

Reading time: five minutes.

Your dental bridge is more than just a cosmetic fix—it’s a lifeline for your natural smile. Whether it’s filling in a gap from missing teeth or supporting your bite, your bridge works hard every day. 

But are you giving it the care it needs? Cleaning a fixed dental bridge isn’t quite the same as caring for your natural teeth, and if you’re not doing it right, you could be setting yourself up for issues like plaque buildup, gum disease, or even tooth decay around the bridge.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the essential tips for keeping your permanent or fixed dental bridge clean and your oral health in check.

Key Takeaway

You should properly clean your dental bridge to maintain both your bridge and your natural teeth. By using the right tools and avoiding harmful foods, you can prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

Why Cleaning Your Dental Bridge is Important

A fixed or permanent bridge can’t be removed for cleaning, which can make it tricky to keep things spotless. If not cleaned properly, food debris can accumulate under and around your bridge, leading to bad breath, gum infections, and even the failure of the abutment teeth (the natural teeth supporting your bridge). Without proper care, your gum health and oral hygiene can take a hit.

Here’s why you should take cleaning your bridge seriously:

  • Prevents gum disease and tooth decay in the surrounding teeth
  • Protects the anchor teeth (or abutment teeth) that support your bridge
  • Maintains your overall oral health and beautiful smile

Best Tools for Cleaning a Permanent Dental Bridge

1. Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

The foundation of a good oral hygiene routine is brushing your teeth—this includes your bridge. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean the bridge and surrounding natural teeth. A soft brush ensures you avoid damaging the gum ridge or scratching your false tooth.

How to brush your bridge:

  • Brush in circular motions for at least two minutes, covering all sides of your bridge
  • Focus on the tooth surfaces near the abutment teeth and around the bridge to remove stuck food particles

2. Interdental Brushes and Super Floss

Regular flossing can be difficult with a dental bridge, but specialized flossing tools like super floss and interdental brushes are a game changer. These tools allow you to clean beneath the bridge and between your natural teeth.

How to floss a bridge:

  • Use super floss, which has a stiff end to guide it under the bridge
  • Move the floss under the false tooth and gently clean the gap
  • Interdental brushes work well for cleaning the spaces between your abutment teeth and the bridge. Pick a size that fits snugly but doesn’t force its way in.

3. Water Pick (Oral Irrigator)

A water pick uses a stream of water to flush out food debris from those hard-to-reach areas beneath your bridge. It’s a great alternative to traditional flossing and helps reduce the risk of plaque buildup.

Using a water pick:

  • Aim the stream of water at the area where the bridge meets your gums and between the adjacent teeth
  • Use cool or lukewarm water, and adjust the pressure to a comfortable level
  • Finish with a rinse using fluoridated mouthwash or alcohol-free mouthwash to maintain a healthy mouth

Additional Tips for Bridge Care

1. Foods to Avoid

Your dental bridge can be sensitive to certain foods. Avoid sticky foods, like caramel or taffy, which can pull at your bridge. Acidic foods like citrus or tomatoes can wear down the surrounding teeth and gums, creating an environment for plaque to thrive.

2. Regular Check-ups and Professional Cleanings

Even with the best at-home care, nothing beats the thorough cleaning you’ll get at the dentist’s office. Schedule regular check-ups with your dentist to ensure your bridge stays in perfect condition.

During your visit, your dentist can professionally clean areas you can’t reach at home and check for any early signs of gum disease or tooth decay.

3. How to Care for a Removable Dental Bridge

If you have a removable dental bridge, it’s important to take it out and clean it thoroughly every day. Use a denture cleaner and a soft-bristled brush designed for dental appliances to remove food particles and plaque. 

Soak the bridge in a dental cleaning solution overnight to keep it fresh and bacteria-free. When handling the bridge, use cool water to avoid warping the material, and always brush your gums and natural teeth before reinserting the bridge to ensure a clean fit.

FAQs

Does a Waterpik clean under a bridge?

Yes, a Waterpik, or oral irrigator, is highly effective for cleaning under a dental bridge. It uses a powerful stream of water to remove food debris and reduce plaque buildup in those hard-to-reach areas beneath your bridge.

How often should you clean a dental bridge?

You should clean your dental bridge at least twice a day, just like your natural teeth. Regular maintenance is important to prevent plaque buildup and ensure the longevity of your dental bridge.

Does food get under a dental bridge?

Yes, food particles can sometimes get trapped under a dental bridge, leading to potential oral health issues if not addressed. This is why using super floss or a Waterpik is vital in your oral care routine, as they help dislodge any debris and maintain a clean and healthy mouth.

Keep Your Smile Bright With Post St Dental Group

At Post Street Dental Group in San Francisco, CA, we’re committed to helping you maintain your natural smile and ensure your dental restoration stays in top shape. If you have any questions about caring for your dental bridge, or if it’s been a while since your last cleaning, call (415) 986-4534 to book an appointment or stop by our dental office in San Francisco at 490 Post St. Suite 520.