Dennis Morehart, DDS

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Cleaning a Fixed Bridge

Bridges are one of the most reliable means of restoring teeth, but they require patients to learn a new way of caring for their oral health in order to get the maximal benefit. We highly value patient satisfaction and preventive care at Enid Dental Care, so we want to ensure our patients know all the tools that are available to them.


The gap in between the bridge and the gum line needs to be cleaned in a similar manner to the gaps between teeth. Some floss manufacturers make floss with stiffened tips so it can be pushed through the gap, but normal floss can be pulled through the gap with a tool called a threader. Similar in appearance to a soft sewing needle, threaders are used to pull floss over or under orthodontic wires and work the same way with bridges.


Some makers of electric toothbrushes and water picks also make tips for their devices which are designed for use on implants. Implant-supported bridges tend to have a larger gap, which allows larger food particles to get trapped but also allows for the use of larger brushes to dislodge them. A Christmas tree brush can be mounted on the end of a normal-sized toothbrush handle for this purpose.


Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.


 

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