Medically Reviewed by Esteem Dental And Orthodontic Team on April 15, 2025
Your toothbrush has a significant limitation that many people overlook—it simply cannot reach between your teeth effectively. These interdental spaces harbor food particles and bacteria that regular brushing leaves untouched, potentially leading to cavities and gum disease despite your diligent twice-daily brushing routine. Interdental brushing addresses this critical gap in oral hygiene, reaching the 35% of tooth surfaces that regular brushing misses completely.
At Esteem Dental, we regularly see patients who brush thoroughly yet still develop problems between their teeth. Our multi-specialty practice emphasizes comprehensive oral care techniques that protect your entire mouth, not just the easily accessible surfaces. Adding interdental cleaning to your daily routine can dramatically improve your oral health outcomes and potentially reduce the need for restorative treatments.
What Are Interdental Brushes?
Interdental brushes are small, specialized brushes designed specifically to clean between teeth where regular toothbrushes cannot reach. Unlike traditional toothbrushes with their broad, flat brushing surfaces, interdental brushes feature a thin, often conical or cylindrical brush head attached to a handle or grip.
These brushes come in various sizes to accommodate different spacing between teeth. The smallest interdental brushes might be as thin as 0.4mm, while larger sizes can reach 1.5mm or more in diameter. This range ensures you can find the appropriate fit for the various spaces between your teeth, as these gaps often differ throughout your mouth.
Most interdental brushes consist of a central wire core with soft nylon bristles arranged around it. The wire provides stability while the bristles effectively remove plaque and debris. Many modern versions feature plastic-coated wires to protect dental work and sensitive gums from irritation.
How Interdental Brushes Compare to Floss
While dental floss has long been the standard recommendation for cleaning between teeth, interdental brushes offer several distinct advantages for many patients.
Ease of use stands out as perhaps the most significant benefit. Many people find traditional flossing technique challenging to master, particularly when reaching back teeth. Interdental brushes provide a more intuitive approach that many patients find simpler to incorporate into their routine.
For people with certain conditions, interdental brushes prove particularly valuable:
- Patients with orthodontic braces can navigate around brackets and wires
- Those with dental implants can clean around restoration components
- People with limited dexterity due to arthritis or other conditions can grip the handles more easily
- Individuals with wider spaces between teeth achieve more thorough cleaning
Research suggests that interdental brushes may remove more plaque than traditional floss in many situations. The bristles can dislodge biofilm more effectively, particularly in slightly larger spaces. However, for very tight contacts between teeth, traditional floss may still provide the only viable access.
How to Use Interdental Brushes Properly
Using interdental brushes effectively requires proper technique to maximize cleaning benefits while avoiding damage to sensitive gum tissue. Start with clean hands and rinse the brush under running water. Gently insert the brush between your teeth at the gumline, being careful not to force it into spaces where it doesn’t fit comfortably. Using a gentle back-and-forth motion, move the brush through the space between teeth several times.
As you work around your mouth, you may need different brush sizes for various spaces. When you’ve completed cleaning all interdental spaces, rinse the brush thoroughly and allow it to dry before storing. Replace your interdental brushes regularly, typically every 1-2 weeks or when the bristles show signs of wear.
For the first few days of use, you might notice some bleeding as gums adjust to the cleaning. This typically subsides as gum health improves with regular interdental cleaning. However, persistent bleeding should be discussed with your dental professional, as it may indicate gum inflammation requiring additional treatment.
The Oral Health Benefits of Interdental Cleaning
The spaces between your teeth create perfect environments for harmful bacteria to thrive. These protected areas allow bacterial biofilms to accumulate and mature, leading to a cascade of potential oral health problems when left unchecked.
Regular interdental cleaning disrupts these bacterial colonies before they can cause damage. By removing interdental plaque daily, you substantially reduce your risk of developing cavities between teeth and gum disease, which often starts in the interdental areas where bacteria irritate the gum tissue.
Beyond these direct benefits, improved interdental cleaning may contribute to better overall health. Research increasingly links oral bacteria to systemic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes complications, and respiratory infections. By maintaining cleaner interdental spaces, you may reduce harmful bacteria that could enter your bloodstream.
Why Choose Esteem Dental for Your Oral Health Needs
At Esteem Dental, we take time to evaluate each patient’s unique oral condition and provide personalized recommendations for interdental cleaning tools and techniques. Our team can demonstrate the proper use of interdental brushes and help determine the appropriate sizes for different areas of your mouth. We understand that adding new steps to your oral hygiene routine requires adjustment, and we’re committed to supporting you throughout this process.
We believe in empowering our patients with the knowledge and tools needed for optimal oral health at home between regular professional cleanings. Our multi-specialty practice offers comprehensive dental care for your entire family, making Esteem Dental your convenient one-stop destination for all your dental needs. To learn more about interdental cleaning and other preventive care strategies, contact us at (407) 476-5650 or through our contact form to schedule your appointment.
Esteem Dental And Orthodontic Team
Our team is composed of highly skilled dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative staff, each committed to ensuring that every visit is comfortable, effective, and rewarding. Led by our experienced dental practitioners, we utilize the latest technologies and techniques to deliver top-quality care and transformative results.
✓ Fact Checked
