Which instrument or tool is recommended for cleaning beneath a fixed dental bridge?

• A. Floss threader
• B. Interdental brush
• C. Rubber tip stimulator
• D. Water flosser

Answer: (A)

Cleaning beneath a fixed dental bridge requires a method that lets you get floss under the pontic to remove debris from the underside and along the adjacent teeth. A floss threader is ideal because its stiff, narrow end can be threaded through the space under the bridge, allowing you to pull floss through and floss effectively under the pontic. This direct access is what makes it the best choice for maintaining hygiene under a bridge.

Interdental brushes can be useful in some situations, but they often can’t reach under the pontic where the bridge sits. Rubber tip stimulators mainly target the exposed tooth surfaces and the gingival margins rather than cleaning under a bridge. A water flosser can help flush debris and is a helpful adjunct, but it doesn’t always substitute for the ability to pass floss under the pontic with a threader.