Caring For Your Implant Bridge
Your implants have fused to the bone, and your bridge is now attached, replacing several teeth with a strong, natural-feeling result. The bridge cannot decay, so care is all about keeping the gum and bone around the implants clean, especially underneath.
The First Few Days
- Mild gum tenderness around the implants is normal for a day or two.
- Your bite may feel different as you get used to chewing across the bridge.
- You can eat normally, easing into harder foods as it feels comfortable.
Why Cleaning Matters
- The bridge cannot decay, but the gum and bone around the implants can get infected if plaque builds up. This is called peri-implantitis.
- It is the main reason implant bridges fail, and it is preventable with daily cleaning underneath.
Cleaning Underneath
Plaque collects under the bridge and around each implant. Clean there daily with a floss threader or Super Floss to pull floss beneath the bridge. A water pick is excellent too, but it is not a substitute for flossing. Using both together is best.
Call Us If
- The bridge feels loose, clicks, or moves.
- The gum around an implant is red, swollen, or bleeds when you clean.
- Your bite feels high or uneven after the visit.
- You notice a bad taste or odor, or anything concerns you.
How To Make Your Implant Bridge Last A Long Time
An implant bridge can last for many years, but only if the gum and bone holding it stay healthy. Plaque underneath the bridge is the one real threat, so cleaning there is everything.
- Clean underneath every day with a floss threader or Super Floss. A water pick is excellent too, but it does not replace flossing, so use both together. This is the single most important habit.
- Brush the gum line around each implant, cheek side and tongue side, where plaque collects.
- Keep your regular cleanings, so we clean around the implants in a way you cannot at home and catch early gum inflammation.
Keep underneath it clean and your implant bridge can last a long time!
Questions about your implant bridge or your recovery? Call the office anytime. We are here for you!
