When patient has one or a few missing teeth, a dentist may recommend a dental implant. While an implanted tooth does prove quite beneficial, the process is a lengthy one. Though the implantation procedure isn’t time consuming, the recovery could take up to six months. Moreover, a patient may have to wait up to year before their dental restoration is fully-functioning.
As a quicker, more affordable alternative, patients could opt for a dental bridge. Though a bridge and an implant have similar benefits, a drawback to a bridge is the differing cleaning method. An implant doesn’t require a special cleaning regimen since it mimics natural teeth; yet, a bridge traps food particles beneath the spaces that lack teeth. To help his patients maintain optimal oral health, Dr. James Stewart, your Livonia dentist, offers a few tips for flossing with a dental bridge.
Just a Few Steps to a Cleaner Smile
In order to floss beneath your bridge properly, use the following steps as part of your daily oral care regimen.
- Use a sufficient piece of floss—about 14 to 16 inches. Then, thread roughly one-third of the floss through the hole of the floss threader.
- With the opposite end of the threader, find the portion of the dental bridge sans a tooth and insert the threader until the floss reaches the other side. Then, gently grab the floss and remove the threader.
- Wrap the floss ends around two fingers and move the floss across the bridge. Make sure to clean between the grooves of the false teeth on the bridge since bacteria easily lingers in these places.
- When you’re finished, remove the floss. Your Livonia dentist instructs his patients to repeat these steps for any remaining dental bridges in your oral cavity.
Visit Your Livonia Dentist for Dental Bridge Care
For more helpful tips and hints on dental bridge care, talk to Dr. Stewart. He can offer you suggestions for the most effective cleaning method for your bridges. To schedule an appointment with your Livonia dentist, call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.