A tooth has five surfaces that need to be cleaned thoroughly and regularly. A regular toothbrush cleans only three sides, leaving the spaces between teeth untouched. This results in food particles accumulating, harmful bacteria multiplying, and eventually leading to cavities. Interdental spaces can be cleaned using irrigators, dental floss, or special brushes. The latter are particularly interesting due to their practicality and effectiveness.
Types of Interdental Brushes
At first glance, these tools look similar. However, when you delve into their classification, brushes can be divided into three types that differ in shape, diameter, and purpose:
Curved. Designed for cleaning dental implants, braces, and other orthodontic constructions. The handle and rod are semi-circular, allowing the removal of dirt accumulated in the brackets’ locks.
Cylindrical. They have equally long bristles throughout the rod’s length. This shape ensures thorough cleaning of interdental spaces, allows for gum massage, and takes care of the implant’s neck.
Conical. The bristles are arranged in a cone shape. The longest are near the base, and the shorter ones are towards the top. Suitable for those with well-aligned teeth and no dental deformations.
How to Choose an Interdental Brush
Bristle length. Carefully inspect your interdental spaces. If there are no gaps, you will need very short bristles—up to 1 mm. If you have large gaps, you will need models with elongated bristles—about 3 mm in diameter. The choice also depends on the presence of prosthetics or other special constructions. For cleaning them, models with short bristles are ideal.
Product length. There are 5 length options. When choosing, consider age and mouth size. For children, a version with a small working part under the “S” label is appropriate. Adults with a larger working cavity should choose size “XL”.
Bristle hardness. They can be soft or medium. If you have sensitive gums, it is better to choose hygiene products with soft bristles. They are also better for cleaning prosthetics.
Rod material. It can be metal or plastic. The latter type is recommended by dentists for gum inflammation. Plastic rods are flexible, so they will not injure the soft tissues.
Handle length. Focus on preference and ease of use. Overly smooth handles might be inconvenient when wet.
How to Use an Interdental Brush
It’s quite simple. To ensure better tooth cleaning, you should choose the right angle. Dentists recommend holding the brush so it is perpendicular to the teeth.
Next, gently insert the brush into the gap between the teeth. The tip should be on the other side of the teeth. Then, make rotational movements while simultaneously moving the tool back and forth. After the procedure, thoroughly rinse the brush. This simple method allows cleaning the gaps on both jaws.
Cleaning with a brush is done “dry,” without toothpaste. The procedure should be delicate, without pressure, to avoid damaging the enamel. If the tool struggles to fit into the interdental space, choose a tool with a smaller diameter.
If You Have Braces
Braces significantly complicate hygiene procedures. However, an interdental brush easily handles food stuck under the construction.
Cleaning is done as usual. Insert the brush under the braces, position it perpendicular to the teeth, and start the forward and backward movement. Then, proceed to the sides of the teeth. Dentists strongly recommend cleaning braces twice a day. Ideally, the procedure should be performed immediately after eating.
For those with orthodontic devices, we recommend choosing conical-shaped brushes. The narrow top part will handle cleaning small details, while the wide lower half will remove food residues between teeth and under the construction. For cleaning the locks, perform forward and backward movements.
To clean the arch, insert the brush between the teeth and the construction element, making rotational movements.
