FAQs
If you're not into wrapping floss around your finger, interdental brushes may be right up your alley. As a matter of fact, a study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information has shown that when used together with toothbrushing, interdental brushes are more effective in removing plaque than floss.
How often should you perform interdental cleaning? ›
Make it a daily routine to brush between your teeth with an interdental brush. It will keep your mouth healthy and prevent gum inflammation and cavities.
Is water flossing better than interdental flossing? ›
Conclusions: The Waterpik Water Flosser and manual toothbrush removes significantly more plaque from tooth surfaces (whole mouth, marginal, approximal, facial, and lingual) than interdental brushes and a manual toothbrush after a single use.
Why doesn't my interdental brush fit between my teeth? ›
Interdental brushes (vision/TePe)
You may find you need multiple sizes for different teeth. Holding the handle of the brush with your thumb and first finger, gently slide the bristles in between the gap. Don't force the brush as it may bend or stab the gum; if it doesn't fit, go down a size.
What are the disadvantages of interdental brushes? ›
Interdental brushes are most ideal for people with larger spaces or gaps between their teeth. The “cons”: There is a higher risk of damage to the gums with interdental brush use, as the gums could be poked and punctured by the tip of the brush if not used with caution.
Is anything better than flossing? ›
Interdental brushing is an alternative to flossing that uses a small toothpick-like tool with bristles that can work its way between your teeth. It is designed to help clean the hard-to-reach places in your mouth.
What happens if you never floss? ›
Not flossing causes plaque to build up along the gum line. This leads to inflamed gums, which are more prone to bleeding. In severe cases, not flossing can lead to gingivitis, which is a form of gum disease that results in swollen and tender gums.
Can you just floss and not brush? ›
According to the dentist in Sugar Land, TX, brushing, and flossing both are important for your dental health. However, if you have to choose one, flossing is more important and sufficient if done properly. The aim of flossing is to remove the plaque, which consists of active colonies of destructive bacteria.
Should you brush first or floss first? ›
While it may be surprising, a study has found that flossing first followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is more effective in removing interdental plaque than brushing first, flossing second. In addition, flossing before brushing results in greater fluoride retention between teeth.
Is Waterpik really better than flossing? ›
A Waterpik cannot offer the same level of cleaning, since the stream of water creates no friction that can loosen hard-to-reach pieces of food and other debris. Instead, most dentists recommend using a Waterpik as a complement to flossing.
*Sustained plaque reduction above the gumline with continual twice-daily use.
Can bacteria grow in Waterpik? ›
Because water flosser heads touch your mouth and stay wet, oral bacteria can grow on it. Even despite following the provided cleaning recommendations. That's not all, this study limited itself to studying only the nozzle, not the hose or water reservoir itself.
Can you damage gums with interdental brushes? ›
Using the correct size of interdental brush is important. As if the brush is too small, then it may not be effective. Yet, if it is too big, you may struggle to get in-between your teeth and may inadvertently damage or traumatize the teeth and gums.
Do I need to floss if I use interdental brushes? ›
So, if you want to use both methods, we advise using flossing when there's no visible gap between teeth; in other cases, it's better to use an interdental brush.
Why do gums bleed with interdental brushes? ›
Bleeding gums whilst brushing or using interdental brushes/floss is a sign of inflammation and gum disease. Our hygienist Amy Hayes demonstrates the most effective way to clean interdental areas. Watching this video a few times whilst using your brush will improve your technique and reduce any areas of inflammation.
Do interdental brushes cause gaps? ›
Interdental brushes should not cause gaps between teeth. If you use them correctly, you might find that gaps that were once filled with plaque are now clean and debris-free. The key to using interdental brushes safely is to make sure that you choose the correct size for the space you're working on.
Is interdental brush enough? ›
Many people use floss to clean in between teeth, but an interdental brush offers an easy, practical alternative. In fact, studies have shown that interdental brushing is actually a more effective way to remove plaque than flossing, when used in conjunction with normal tooth brushing.
Why do my gums bleed when I use interdental brushes? ›
Bleeding gums whilst brushing or using interdental brushes/floss is a sign of inflammation and gum disease. Our hygienist Amy Hayes demonstrates the most effective way to clean interdental areas. Watching this video a few times whilst using your brush will improve your technique and reduce any areas of inflammation.
Which is better if you could only floss or brush? ›
Brushing is more effective at removing plaque and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth, while flossing is necessary for cleaning the tight spaces between your teeth and beneath your gum line. It's important to note that improper brushing vs flossing techniques can be just as harmful as not doing them at all.
