Dental crowns and bridges are among the most effective restorative dentistry solutions for damaged or missing teeth. Crowns restore damaged teeth, while bridges replace missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to adjacent crowns. While they help restore your smile and improve oral functions, maintaining dental crowns and bridges requires routine care, including proper flossing for plaque removal.
For most people, flossing around crowns and bridges can be tricky due to their unique design. So in this guide, we will walk you through the best techniques to clean around dental crowns and bridges.
How to Floss Around a Dental Crown
Flossing around a dental crown is similar to flossing your natural teeth. Here’s a step-by-step method:
- Choose waxed dental floss: Waxed floss is less likely to fray or get caught around the edges of the crown.
- Wrap the floss around your fingers: Cut about 18 inches of floss and wind each end around your middle fingers, leaving a few inches to work with.
- Slide the floss: Carefully slide the floss between your teeth and curve it into a “C” shape around the base of the crown. The floss should go slightly below the gumline to clean the sulcus without snapping into the gum
- Clean both sides: Move the floss up and down in a gentle motion to remove plaque and trapped food particles.
- Remove carefully: Instead of pulling the floss up, slide it out sideways to avoid damaging the crown or your gums. This is especially important for temporarily cemented crowns, where upward pulling could dislodge them.
How to Floss Around a Dental Bridge
Flossing a dental bridge is a little more complex because the units of the bridge are fused together. Since traditional floss can’t pass between them, you can try using some specialized dental tools:
- Use a floss threader: This tool resembles a needle and has a tiny loop at one end. You can slide the floss through the loop and carefully thread it under the bridge margins to clean beneath them.
- Try a water flosser: A water flosser uses a thin, high-pressure stream of water to flush out plaque and debris from under the bridge and along the gumline. Studies show that using a water flosser once daily can significantly reduce bleeding and plaque around bridgework compared to string floss alone.
- Interdental brushes: These small, conical brushes are designed to clean between teeth and under bridgework. Just make sure to glide it slowly between teeth to avoid gum bleeding. Select a brush size recommended by your dentist or hygienist. If it feels tight, don’t force it, as it could traumatize the gum tissue.
- Dental picks: Plastic or rubber-tipped dental picks can reach tight spaces beneath a bridge and can be helpful to clean trapped food, especially after a meal.
Keep Up with Your Routine Dental Cleanings
Even if you follow a diligent oral hygiene routine at home, it is still important to get routine dental visits and cleanings. During these visits, your dentist will evaluate your oral cavity, including your teeth, gums, and dental work like crowns and bridges, to ensure they are functioning properly. If there are plaque deposits or any signs of gum inflammation, they can address them with professional cleanings and help you maintain your smile at its best.
Final Words
Along with regular brushing, flossing around your dental crown or bridge is essential to maintain it for a long time. By following these guidelines, you can keep your dental work functioning well for many more years. For a personalized oral care plan, consult our dental experts at Foundations Family Dentistry today. You can call us at (281) 251-3070 to schedule an appointment.