Has your dentist or hygenist recommended using Chlorhexidine or Listerine on the floss when you floss under it? I don’t seem to be able to do this without making a mess, and I doubt I get much of the rinse under the bridge.
I can see somewhat the value of this, in that one of the bridges replaced a tooth that rotted under the cap, and had to be extracted, but while I could soak the floss in the rinse, then what good will it do if I touch the floss afterwards in order to to thread it?
My dentist has not recommended this. She has, however, said that flossing is a must. I hate my bridge and if I had to do it again, I would opt for an implant. Threading the floss just annoys me.
Never had that instruction. I have two bridges, and got them through two different dentists, twenty-odd years apart. First dentist was big on Superfloss for bridges (integrated threader section, fat, fuzzy section, and “regular” floss section, all in one pre-measured piece) and it might actually be able to hold some rinse in the fuzzy bit. I can’t quite visualize how ordinary floss would absorb or transfer any rinse worth mentioning, though simply using mouthwash should be able to flood the area if you swish thoroughly.
No. I have three bridges and have gotten very good with the floss threader and do it daily.
My dentist recommended a water pik rather than flossing when I got my bridge. I filled it with Listerine one or two times a month. The bridge broke and I can’t afford to replace it so I’m just missing some molars now. I have some crowns that are very close together and I still floss with threaders sometimes.
I’m also having trouble imagining how soaking the floss would would do much besides making the whole chore more clumsy, and dripping mouthwash on my shirt.
I’d think vigorous swishing would get more active ingredients where they need to go.
I must admit to seldom flossing under my bridge. Even when I do, I don’t notice much of anything coming out.
I use toothpicks.
I use a sonic toothbrush and then later wash my mouth out with Listerine (the real stuff that stings). Rarely every floss and I have had mine for 8 years; every time I go in for a checkup the doctor comments on what a good job I am doing caring for the bridge. So I wouldn’t recommend going crazy nuts about the flossing aspect.
My dentist has told me to stay away from alcohol-based mouthwash. He says it is destructive to several kinds of dental work (I have extensive work throughout my mouth, bridges, crowns and seven implants). For flossing, I use a device called a HydroFloss, which I guess is similar to a Water Pik. Seems to work like a charm, and I get good marks every time I go in for a cleaning.
I’ve had a bridge on my bottom arch, right in the front center for 28 years (Since I was 17 years old) and I floss under it regularly with no problems. I’ve never had any dentist recommend using mouth wash with my floss in the manner that the OP described. Typically I use SuperFloss and it works great. Sometimes I run out so use regular floss. I have floss threaders that make it easy to get the floss under the bridge.