What’s best for cleaning in between your teeth?

Cleaning In Between Your Teeth

The multitude of interdental cleaning products available can make decision making pretty tricky. The variety is huge, and the cost varies too. In this blog post, we will try to clarify pros and cons of all the options out there to help you make an educated decision. It’s important to clean once a day in between your teeth as just using a regular toothbrush alone cannot remove food debris and bacteria. Lack of regular interdental cleaning can cause dental diseases such as tooth decay and periodontal disease, as well as contributing to bad breath. Because you want to make sure you keep up the habit of daily cleaning between your teeth, be sure to choose an option that allows you to clean your teeth gently to avoid harming your gums.

Why Interdental Cleaning is Important

Interdental cleaning is a crucial aspect of oral hygiene that is often overlooked. However, it plays a vital role in maintaining good oral health. Interdental cleaning involves removing plaque and food particles from between the teeth and along the gumline, where a toothbrush cannot reach. This helps to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental issues. By incorporating interdental cleaning into your daily routine, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing these problems and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.

The Impact of Gum Disease

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when plaque and bacteria build up on the teeth and along the gumline, causing inflammation and infection. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to serious consequences, including tooth loss, bad breath, and even systemic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Interdental cleaning is an essential step in preventing gum disease and maintaining good oral health.

When to clean in between your teeth

We recommend cleaning between your teeth should be a daily habit. It is important to clean your teeth gently, especially if you need to clean more than once a day due to gum disease. Whilst there is no hard and fast rule about when you should clean in between your teeth, for good oral health, we recommend teeth interdental cleaning should be done before you go to bed. This is to adequately remove all plaque and food debris before your mouth is left stagnant during sleep. This will ensure to keep your teeth clean and your gums clean too. It also does not matter whether you decide to clean between your teeth before you brush your teeth. You can do it whichever way you like, just ensure you are doing both brushing and interdental cleaning to ensure a healthy teeth and gums. If you suffer from gum disease, you may need to perform teeth cleaning more regularly, and clean between your teeth more than once a day. The more you remove plaque around your teeth and gums, the higher the likelihood your gum disease will improve.

Our top recommendations for cleaning in between your teeth

Dental floss

The most affordable option available currently, there are a variety of dental flosses on the market. Quality of floss can vary, so we recommend sticking with reliable brands, as the last thing you want is floss that keeps breaking so much that you just give up. Whilst it is cheap, it can be the trickiest option to use for some people. In particular, those with limited dexterity, very large fingers or very tight teeth may not be able to adequately use dental floss. If you choose floss, make sure to choose a waxed floss. We are also fans of dental tapes because they can be stronger. When flossing, be sure to slide the floss between your teeth gently and wrap it around each tooth surface carefully by wrapping both ends around your index fingers (or middle fingers, whichever is easier for you), to remove as much plaque and food particles as possible. There is some controversy in the past regarding some flosses containing PTFE (otherwise known as Teflon). Our budget pick is Oral B Essential Waxed floss, which does not contain PTFE. There are some natural flosses which are biodegradable, but unfortunately we haven’t found an option that works for us yet. Another fantastic (and very popular) dental floss is Manfloss. This dental floss is unlike any others available, it is strong, thick and black in colour. It also contains no PTFEs, and is the brainchild of a local Perth dental hygienist. We have Manfloss available for purchase at our Claremont dental clinic. We also love this product as it comes in a large amount which can last 12 months, and also has a refill that can be purchased separately to reduce waste.

Flossette

These are small sticks with floss attached on one end. Also known as mini flossers and floss sticks. These are easier to use than dental floss, but slightly more expensive. Most of them can be used several times, but eventually the floss will snap. They can be useful to get floss in between back teeth which are hard to get to, or for those who don’t have the dexterity to use dental floss. We find these useful for flossing children’s teeth. It is important to use flossettes to clean your teeth gently, especially when helping children. Yes, that’s right, children’s teeth do need to be flossed daily, and you will need to help them do this until they can do a good job on their own. Our pick is: Oral B Floss Pick.

Interdental brushes

Slightly more expensive than dental floss, interdental brushes consist of little brushes are on an easy to use stick. These take the dexterity issues out of cleaning between your teeth. It is important to use interdental brushes to clean your teeth gently to avoid harming your gums. They are used similarly to a toothpick, but contain bristles on a flexible wire covered stick that effectively remove food and plaque debris. Interdental brushes can be useful for those who struggle to clean in between their back teeth, as they can be bent at a right angle. Whilst we love this option, it can be difficult for those who have different spaced gaps between there teeth, as you will need several different sizes of brushes. We recommend you speak to your dental professional to find out what size interdental brush is best for you. It is important that the interdental brushes fit snugly in the interdental spaces between your teeth so that they can clean effectively. Sizes of interdental brushes vary with different brands, so it’s also best to choose a brand you like and stick with that. Again, interdental brushes are reusable, but after a while, will need to be thrown out. Our interdental brush recommendation is: Piksters.

1. Water flossers: these mechanical devices use water and gentle pressure to remove debris and plaque in between the teeth. Water flossers are the most expensive interdental cleaning option. These devices are beneficial for those that have more difficult to clean areas, such as dental bridges, dental implants, implant-supported dentures or braces. Water flossers can also be helpful to remove plaque from the teeth and gum tissue more effectively for those who suffer from gum disease, as it can clean the spaces between the teeth to a greater depth. Our pick is the Hydropik Cordless by Piksters.

Choosing the Right Interdental Brush

With so many interdental brushes available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. When selecting an interdental brush, consider the size of the spaces between your teeth and the shape of your teeth. Look for a brush with soft bristles and a comfortable handle that fits easily between your teeth. It’s also important to choose a brush that is designed for your specific oral health needs, such as a brush with antibacterial properties or a brush designed for sensitive teeth.

Common Interdental Cleaning Mistakes

While interdental cleaning is an essential part of oral hygiene, many people make common mistakes that can reduce its effectiveness. One of the most common mistakes is using too much force, which can damage the gum tissue and cause bleeding. Another mistake is not using the correct technique, such as not curving the floss around the tooth surface or not using a gentle back-and-forth motion. Additionally, many people do not clean between their back teeth, which can lead to plaque buildup and gum disease.

The Benefits of Regular Interdental Cleaning

Regular interdental cleaning offers numerous benefits for your oral health. By removing plaque and food particles from between your teeth and along the gumline, you can prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental issues. Interdental cleaning can also help to reduce bad breath, improve the appearance of your teeth, and boost your overall confidence. Furthermore, regular interdental cleaning can help to prevent systemic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, which are linked to gum disease. By incorporating interdental cleaning into your daily routine, you can maintain a healthy, beautiful smile and enjoy a lifetime of good oral health.

When to speak to your dental professional

If you notice the following symptoms, be sure to speak to your dentist about whether you might have periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). If left untreated, you may have worsening consequences, even premature tooth loss.

1. Bleeding gums when brushing or cleaning between your teeth, even if you clean your teeth gently with an interdental brush or floss gently
2. You notice your teeth are moving more than they had before, especially when eating
3. You notice red gums, or gum inflammation
4. You notice you have gum recession around your teeth, where the gum line around your teeth is lowering downwards
5. You notice large amounts of plaque build up on your teeth even though you clean your teeth regularly
6. You notice hardened or yellow looking tartar buildup on your teeth
7. You notice large gaps between the teeth which appear to be getting bigger

Want to know more?

Do you have further questions about oral hygiene products? Would you like tailored recommendations on what products for cleaning between your teeth suit you best to keep your teeth healthy? Regular dental check ups, professional care and teeth cleaning from our Claremont dental hygienist can help to maintain a healthy mouth, healthy gums and great oral health. Speak to our friendly Claremont dental team on 6143 5655 or book a consultation online here. Remember to slide floss between your teeth gently and brush your teeth gently in circular motions to ensure effective cleaning while minimising harm to your gums.