An interdental brush is a type of flossing tool used to brush out food debris and plaque from between the teeth. For optimal oral hygiene, the interdental brush should be used at least three times a week and is easily included as part of daily oral hygiene practice.
We recommend interdental brushing
The interdental brush benefits patients at Advance Dental Clinic in a number of ways:
Adjustable interdental brush heads
Our dental structures vary and the interdental brush is made to suit different sized and spaced teeth with adjustable brush heads. The flossing brushes come in thin to thicker sizes, some smaller and some larger. The brush heads are attached to a handle and may be removed and replaced as needed.
Versatile interdental brushing
Most of us have a combination of our existing teeth and dental restorations. Interdental brushes are versatile in that different brush heads may be used to clean away debris from between existing teeth and dental restorations such as crowns and bridges.
It is recommended to have a selection of brush heads to clean between teeth, tooth gaps and dental restorations. Discuss interdental brushing with your dentist if you have dental implants to replace missing teeth or wear an orthodontic device for teeth straightening.
Thorough oral hygiene
Toothbrushes and standard floss do not always get between all of the tooth grooves. Plaque and tartar may therefore develop in hard-to-reach places. Interdental brushes are shaped to reach into tooth grooves to remove plaque and debris, preventing bacterial colonisation and tooth decay.
The brush heads are designed to clean teeth with ease, moving in between and gently moving out of tooth gaps and grooves for proper cleansing. Our dental hygienist can tell you more about using the interdental brush as an alternative to or alongside dental flossing at Advance Dental Clinic in Essex.
At Advance Dental Clinic we’re always eager to encourage good oral hygiene habits and stand firmly by the mantra that prevention is better than cure. We highly recommend regular routine check-ups for adults and children and our dental team is always on hand to offer advice about maintaining good oral hygiene at home, choosing healthy foods and making healthy lifestyle choices. In addition to brushing twice daily, we also recommend flossing. Flossing involves using very fine dental tape, called floss, to clean parts of the mouth, which often can’t be reached with a toothbrush. Flossing is good for you because it gives you a more thorough clean and targets areas that are prone to bacteria collection, such as the gum line and the cracks between the teeth. Sometimes, flossing can take a little getting used to and if you find that you just get the hang of it, there may be alternatives. One method of cleaning we recommend is using inter-dental brushes. These tiny hand-held brushes are specifically designed to clean between the teeth; they have very fine bristles and they fit between the teeth to prevent plaque formation and staining. There are various sizes of inter-dental brush available and our dentists and hygienists can recommend brushes for you; they will also be happy to show you how to use the brushes and talk through the benefits with you. Good oral hygiene is really important for your oral and general health, as neglecting cleaning increases the risk of plaque development. Plaque is the main risk factor for decay and gum disease and it also contributes to bad breath (halitosis). If you would like advice about buying oral hygiene products, flossing and brushing techniques or boosting your oral health, please don’t hesitate to ask; our expert Essex dentist will be more than happy to help.
