Last Updated on 4th February 2022
There are lots of products on the market for cleaning the spaces between our teeth and along the gum line, explain our Evesham dentists. So, whether you use interdental brushes, dental floss or conical brushes before toothbrushing, the result will be the same – healthier teeth and gums!
The dentists at Evesham Dental Health Team advise that the most important thing to remember is that we must clean between our teeth at least once every day – alongside brushing our teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. This home care regime is the most effective way to keep gum disease at bay and ensure our mouths stay healthy.
Regular brushing and flossing help rid our mouths of the bacteria that live on the surfaces of our teeth and gums. These bacteria trigger gum disease and cause tooth decay by producing acid from sugars, which left in place, eats away at the tooth structure.
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Our primary aim is to practise preventive dentistry. This means identifying and treating potential problems before they become painful, complex or costly to treat.
The best way to avoid dental issues occurring is to keep your teeth and gums as clean as possible. We advise that you:
- Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth using dental floss or interdental brushes every day.
- Visit our Broadway Road dental practice as often as your dentist recommends. Attending at least once a year for a dental examination reduces the risk of decay by 60%, says the Dental Health Foundation.
Gum disease affects 80% of adults and more than half of all teenagers. It is the single biggest cause of tooth loss. So, take action – request brushing and flossing coaching with your hygienist at your next appointment to make sure you are using the most effective techniques.
How do I choose the right size interdental brushes?
Interdental brushes come in many different sizes and it can be difficult to know which one is most suitable for your mouth.
For the best advice, ask us! Whilst explaining the best way to use interdental brushes, we will also help you choose the right ones.
In the meantime, here are a few tips to get you started…
Look in the mirror and insert the interdental brush between your teeth, close to your gums. Start with the smallest size and work up until the bristles touch the tooth surface and gum tissue.
The brush should have a snug fit but the wire, although plastic coated, should not touch the sides of your teeth. Never force the brush into a space.
Once inserted, move the interdental brush to its full length back and forth about 2-3 times. Make sure to clean all the spaces between your teeth once a day.
You are likely to need 2 or 3 different sizes, or the combination of one or two brushes and floss – it all depends on size of the spaces between your teeth, which will vary throughout the mouth.
If in doubt, ask at your next hygiene visit or contact us for more information.
