{"id":24450,"date":"2019-08-10T14:04:19","date_gmt":"2019-08-10T14:04:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/growingsmiles.co.uk\/?page_id=24450"},"modified":"2022-01-24T16:30:11","modified_gmt":"2022-01-24T16:30:11","slug":"flossing-interdental-cleaning-between-teeth","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/growingsmiles.co.uk\/healthy-tips-for-happy-teeth-and-oral-health\/flossing-interdental-cleaning-between-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Flossing\/interdental\/cleaning between teeth!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cleaning thoroughly between teeth everyday should be an important part of your oral hygiene routine to ensure oral health and fresh breath.<\/strong> Learn more here about flossing\/interdental\/cleaning between teeth! A large European review of the scientific literature in relation to the effectiveness of different forms of cleaning between the teeth has been undertaken with UK and European guidance supporting the use of interdental brushes<\/a><\/em><\/strong> where <\/em><\/strong>there is space<\/strong><\/em> but use floss where there is not<\/em><\/strong>.<\/a> There are lots of options <\/a>available to supplement the use of a manual or electric toothbrush. <\/p>

Why?<\/strong> The gum area between teeth is very\nsusceptible to inflammation. Bacteria can mature undisturbed underneath where\ntwo teeth are in contact and irritate the gums and cause inflammation.\nInflammation causes gums to bleed spontaneously or when brushed and is an early\nsign of gum disease. Healthy gums don\u2019t bleed!* Tooth surfaces between teeth\nare at increased risk of tooth decay where sugary food sticks and bacteria break\ndown the sugars into acids that cause decay. <\/p>

When to start?<\/strong> Theoretically start cleaning between\nteeth as soon as teeth are in contact with each other. These \u2018in between\u2019\nsurfaces are at risk of tooth decay and gum inflammation. GS recommends\ndeveloping good oral hygiene habits from when the first tooth appears in the\nmouth. Parents and carers are encouraged to floss children\u2019s teeth regularly to\ndevelop a lifelong habit of effective oral hygiene for oral health.<\/p>

Clean between first \u2013 brush after<\/strong>. Unless you have been advised\notherwise by a dental professional, floss\/clean between teeth first, then brush\nyour teeth with a fluoride toothpaste. Spitting out after brushing, but not\nrinsing will give maximum opportunity for the fluoride (and other ingredients e.g.\nfor sensitivity), to work. <\/p>

If you find interdental cleaning before brushing all too much effort to do at one time, clean between at a different time of the day when you have more time. It\u2019s more important that it is done every day at some time. Always brush last thing before bedtime. The interdental gum is often the first place to show signs of inflammation and bleeding. If your gums bleed when you first start to clean between, it\u2019s usually because of plaque bacteria lying undisturbed, irritating the gum tissue and causing inflammation. Keep going! Persevere and clean between daily. Within a couple of weeks you should notice a reduction in bleeding and your mouth should feel cleaner and fresher. If bleeding persists see your dental team for advice. For more information on gum inflammation and periodontal (gum) disease visit the British Society of Periodontology<\/a>. <\/p>

\u2018Between teeth\u2019, to a certain extent is misleading as the aim is to actually disrupt and remove the plaque biofilm (the sticky substance that builds up on teeth and  harbours disease causing bacteria) from the tooth surfaces that a toothbrush can\u2019t reach. This is generally the area just under where teeth are in contact with each other (beside each other), and in health the gum tissue fills this space between teeth. See image below. <\/p>

\"An<\/figure><\/div>

Your toothbrush<\/a> can reach the outside, inside and biting surface of each tooth and clean along the gum line, but not the surfaces in between. This interdental (interproximal) area varies from one person to another and its size and shape can change through life. If you think about how a small child\u2019s teeth appear versus someone who has crooked teeth or someone who has become \u2018long\u2019 in the tooth, you can get an idea of how varied the interdental area is in both shape and size. <\/p>

\"An<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n
\"An<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n
\"An<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

<\/p><\/div><\/div>

Consequently there are a variety of ways to reach these areas to remove the plaque biofilm. The aim is to clean effectively<\/em><\/strong> and regularly<\/em><\/strong><\/a> enough to keep YOUR mouth healthy and breath fresh, without damaging teeth or gums. There will always be someone who doesn\u2019t seem to have to put as much effort into their oral care as you might to obtain and maintain health. This is because your oral health is as unique to you as your general health<\/a> \u2013 a healthy mouth contributes to your overall health and well being \u2013 worth the effort? We think so! <\/p>

For people who have healthy gums where the gum fills the space between teeth, \u2018tight\u2019 contact points between teeth or teeth that overlap, flossing is likely to be the option of choice. If you have space underneath the contact point, some form of interdental brush is going to be most effective. Water-flossing<\/a> is also an option. Using a single tuft brush<\/a> can help clean the \u2018side\u2019 surfaces of a single tooth, while special flosses, floss threaders etc, aid difficult to clean areas e.g. under bridges, around implants or orthodontic braces. \u00a0See our range of interdental cleaning aids here<\/a>. Don’t like the ‘brush feeling’? Try the rubber pimpled Easypick<\/a> or Wisdom <\/a>interdental brushes. <\/p>

What is right for you will depend on your oral health risks<\/a>, your ability to use the interdental cleaning aid and your personal preference and motivation. Not sure? Why not take Time Out For Teeth<\/a>, our virtual oral health coaching service with an option for Clean between coaching. Learn more and book today<\/a>. <\/p>

\"An<\/figure><\/div>

Ask your dental team or GS oral health coach for advice on what is best for you. <\/p>

Size is important when choosing interdental brushes – the bristles must contact the tooth surfaces to clean thoroughly. Poking food out from between teeth isn\u2019t the same!\u00a0 \u00a0Check out our video<\/a>s on using interdental brushes and other forms of flossing\/interdental\/cleaning between teeth. Wear orthodontic braces? Find our how to clean between with braces here. <\/a><\/p>

\"Different<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n
\"Interdental<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Growing Smiles online shop stocks a variety of interdental cleaning aids<\/a> suitable for everyone so you can become an expert at flossing\/interdental\/cleaning between teeth!<\/p>

*If you smoke or use tobacco products the circulation to the gums is restricted so you may not get the early warning of bleeding when brushing. Always let your dental team know if you use tobacco so they can take this into account when assessing your gum health. <\/p>

Back to Healthy Tips for Happy Teeth and Oral Health<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cleaning thoroughly between teeth everyday should be an important part of your oral hygiene routine to ensure oral health and fresh breath. Learn more here about flossing\/interdental\/cleaning between teeth! A large European review of the scientific literature in relation to the effectiveness of different forms of cleaning between the teeth has been undertaken with UK … <\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":0,"parent":24174,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-24450","page","type-page","status-publish"],"yoast_head":"\nFlossing\/interdental\/cleaning between teeth - where your toothbrush can't!<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Find out how flossing\/interdental\/cleaning between teeth. Helps bleeding gums, cavities and more. 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