You’ve heard it all, flossing is more than just a dance move. Clean between your teeth, they say, every day, they say, BEFORE you brush, they say. Okay, okay, okay! BUT – what’s all the floss about? Why are there so many options? Whatever happened to just a simple, thread?
Well, simple thread floss is still available, and still very effective – in fact, one of the most effective interdental cleaning tools IF used correctly, however, there are also a lot more, some may say ‘user friendly’ interdental cleaning aids available. Below you will find a brief overview of each…
Dental floss has been around for a VERY long time. It is relatively low cost, there are environmentally friendly options and it can squeeze between even the tightest of interproximal spaces (gaps between your teeth, even with contact points). The drawbacks of floss, is that technique can be tricky, particularly to reach areas further back and if used incorrectly, can cause irritation or trauma to the gums.
Interdental brushes are considered the ‘gold standard’ of interdental cleaning aids. They are small, easy to use and come in varying sizes (including multi-size packs) to use between different interdental spaces. The drawback of interdental brushes if that it can take a bit of trial and error to get the size(s) correct, therefore, we recommend a multipack in the first instance. Size matters – it is important to ensure the brushes contact the surfaces between the teeth, rather than just poke out the food between.
A water flosser is an power cleaning device which uses pressure to shoot water between the teeth, to remove debris and break up plaque biofilm. These are particularly good for those with orthodontic appliances, other dental work such as bridges or reduced manual dexterity such as arthritis. The drawback of a water flosser is that it is bulkier than floss and interdental brushes, taking up more space in the bathroom and making them difficult to travel with.
Final thoughts:
There is no right or wrong interdental cleaning aid to use – it really depends on personal circumstances and preference. Growing Smiles stocks a range of interdental cleaning options, so click here to take a look, or if you’re not sure, why not speak to your dental care professional or book and online coaching session with Leigh GS? Click here for more information.
Whatever you take home from this remember, clean between your teeth at least once a day BEFORE you brush with fluoride toothpaste. Always remember to spit out the toothpaste, don’t rinse with water.
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