How to start cleaning your dental implant bridge

Are you having difficulties cleaning your dental implant bridge? Struggle no more, our team of specialized dentists in Tijuana at Dental Alvarez will gladly explain to you the proper way of cleaning and maintaining your implant-supported bridge. By having good oral hygiene, you can extend the quality and lifetime of your dental implant bridge and your natural teeth.

Here is a simple guide and a few tips that you could use when cleaning your dental implant bridge. Follow our specialist’s advice to care for your teeth in an easy, efficient, and practical way.

General cleaning instructions and Tips for our patients’ wellbeing

Keeping the space between the bridge and the gums clean and the tissues surrounding your implants free of bacteria is essential to maintain your prosthesis in optimal conditions. Brushing twice a day with a soft or extra-gentle toothbrush prevents plaque buildup from damaging the implant and its surrounding bone.

After cleaning, rinse thoroughly with water or alcohol-free mouth rinse. If you’re using a soft-bristle toothbrush, gently scrub the area around the implant to remove any remaining plaque.

• Flossing between your teeth and underneath your dental bridges will prevent food particles from getting trapped under your restorations, avoiding bacteria from damaging your gums and bone structures. It’s important to use a floss threader or an interproximal toothbrush, making it easier to access tight spots. It is also recommended to be gentle and take your time to make sure you don’t damage your gums by accident.
• The higher the abrasiveness of your toothpaste, the more effectively it will remove plaque and stains. Still, if used for a prolonged time, it will wear out the enamel of your tooth structure faster, causing sensitivity and exposing your natural teeth to easier decay formation.
• Using the right brushing technique: Always sweep from the gums towards the edge of the teeth to avoid gingival recessions that could uncover the preparation margin or, even worse, the root itself. Rough brushing with stiff bristle toothbrushes and forward and backward movement causes displacement or alterations in the gingival margin. When exposed, these areas become more prone to cavity formation or subgingival bacteria, both of which put your dental prostheses and even your natural teeth at risk.
• Regular check-ups: Maintain regular contact with your dentist on your progress. If anything about your implant bridges worries you, you can contact our specialized dentists in dental implants in Tijuana for clarifications. We recommend having at least two appointments per year.
• Maintain a balanced diet: A determining factor in the lifetime of your dental prosthesis is your oral pH. A high pH level in your saliva makes it more acidic and contributes to the formation of cavities and the accumulation of dental plaque. To keep your oral pH low, you can do the following:
  • Avoid or reduce the consumption of soft drinks and acidic beverages.
  • Chew sugarless gum to increase saliva flow and rinse away acids.
  • Balance acidic ingredients with alkaline ingredients. Some examples are sweet corn, carrots, or apples.
  • Drink plenty of natural water.

Further options available to clean your dental implant bridge

If you can invest in a water flosser, we recommend you do; they are easy to use and won’t damage your gums or cause irritation. Just remember that using a flossing thread is the best option. If your gums bleed when you floss, it is possible you are not doing it correctly. Make sure you show your dentist your technique on your next visit, this way they can show you the correct way in case you are doing something wrong.

If you have any questions on the necessary dental care steps, please contact the team of Dental Alvarez with our qualified and trained dentists in Tijuana who will give you the best dental work applied for your dental situation.