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Water flossers for bridges and crowns
Updated
The American Dental Association says people with bridges and other dental work may find a water flosser helps them reach every nook and cranny. For crowns and bridges, look for a model that takes a tip made for dental work, and start on a low setting. Ask your dentist how to clean under your bridge.
Why a bridge is harder to clean
The ADA's bridges page explains that a fixed bridge can only be removed by a dentist, unlike a removable one you can take out and clean. That means you clean around it and under it while it stays in your mouth. String floss has to be threaded under the false tooth. A water stream can be aimed there instead, which is why many people with bridges look at water flossers.
The tip made for dental work
Waterpik's tips guide lists the Plaque Seeker tip for implants, crowns, bridges and veneers. It has 3 thin tufts of bristles, and Waterpik says to hold it so the bristles lightly touch the teeth and glide it along the gumline. Waterpik says to replace it every 3 months.
| Flosser | Tip for crowns and bridges in the box | Pressure settings |
|---|---|---|
| Waterpik Aquarius | Yes, Plaque Seeker | 10 |
| Waterpik Cordless Advanced | Check the listing for your bundle | 3 |
| Philips Power Flosser 3000 | No. F1 Standard and F3 Quad Stream only | 3 |
Which picks fit
- Waterpik Aquarius: the Plaque Seeker comes in the box, and 10 pressure steps make a low start easy. The catch: it is corded and for North America only, so it stays home.
- Waterpik Cordless Advanced: cordless and fine for the shower. The catch: its tank lasts up to 45 seconds, so a slow clean around a bridge takes 2 tanks (1 refill) at 90 seconds.
Good habits around dental work
- Ask your dentist to show you where to aim around and under the bridge.
- Start low. Turn the pressure up only if it feels comfortable.
- The ADA lists gums that bleed easily as a warning sign of gum disease. If you see bleeding, or a crown feels loose, call your dentist.
Compare all five picks in the shortlist, or check any listing in the run time calculator.
Check with your dentist. This page is general information, not dental advice. Your dentist or hygienist knows your mouth and your dental work, so ask them which tip, pressure and routine suit you before you start.