Caring for Your Bridge

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Your bridge depends on the health of supporting teeth and gums. Always clean your bridge and the rest of your mouth carefully. Ask your dentist if special cleaning aids for bridges would help you.

Brushing

Brush after each meal. Brush the surfaces and sides of your bridge just as you do your natural teeth. Use an interdental brush to clean between large spaces.

Closeup of interdental brush cleaning between teeth.

Flossing

Floss at least once a day. This cleans food and bacteria from between teeth, under the replacement tooth or teeth, and under the gumline. Special thick floss can help keep your bridge clean. Floss threaders help you thread floss under a fixed bridge.

Closeup of fingers inserting floss between teeth with floss threader.

Dental visits

See your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. These dental visits help keep your teeth and gums in good condition. Your dentist can also check to be sure there are no problems with your bridge. Call your dentist right away if you have a problem. For instance, call if your bridge is loose. Never try to fix your bridge yourself.

Living with your new bridge

Your new bridge can help make chewing comfortable again. It can also let you feel confident about your smile. Take the time to care for your teeth. Keep your mouth healthy, and your teeth will stay looking and feeling good.