Interdental Brushes

Why bother? Think of a piece of cheese sitting in the back of the fridge for a few days? Imagine food and bacteria between your teeth? Difference is, you can throw the cheese out – not cleaning between your teeth can increase your risk of tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. Gum health has been linked to many general health problems e.g. diabetes. Improving your oral hygiene with thorough interdental cleaning is important for gum health – the foundations of your mouth.

Interdental cleaning should be done at least once a day – BEFORE brushing or at a different time of day, unless advised otherwise by our dental team or Growing Smiles coach.  This allows the active ingredients in your toothpaste to reach the surfaces between teeth to work for longer when you brush. Don’t forget to spit out but don’t rinse after toothbrushing.

Use the interdental brush dry unless otherwise advised. Follow the gum line so you place the brush BELOW the contact point between teeth – too far up the tooth the brush will bend and kink.  Watch what you are doing in a mirror with good light. Practice makes perfect.

Interdental cleaning is often skipped, especially if you plan to do it last thing at night before you brush at bedtime. That extra minute or two just seems too precious to be bothered poking between your teeth! Make interdental cleaning fit into your daily routine. Keep them in your pocket or bag or in the car – use them after lunch or when you are waiting for kids to come out of school. Why not?  People brush their hair, put on lipstick, even shave when they have a few minutes of ‘down time’ – why not use yours to improve your oral hygiene, oral health and fresh breath!