The Importance of Interdental Hygiene

Maintaining oral hygiene goes beyond just brushing your teeth twice a day. One crucial yet often neglected aspect is interdental hygiene. The area between your teeth, known as interdental space, accounts for approximately 40% of the tooth surface. Neglecting this can lead to plaque buildup, which may cause cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. This blog will explore the importance of cleaning between your teeth, the tools available for this purpose, and recommendations for products available in the UK.

Tools and Methods for Cleaning Between Your Teeth and improving the Interdental Hygiene

Here are the most effective tools and methods for interdental cleaning, listed from the easiest to use, along with their benefits and challenges:

1. Interdental Brushes
   • Benefits: Interdental brushes come in various sizes to fit different gaps between teeth. They are easy to handle and can remove food particles and plaque efficiently.
   • Challenges: May not fit very tight spaces between teeth.
   • Popular Products:
     • TePe Interdental Brushes
     • Icon Interdental Brushes
     • Curaprox Interdental Brushes
2. Dental Floss
   • Benefits: Flossing can reach areas that brushes cannot. It effectively removes plaque and food particles between teeth and under the gumline.
   • Challenges: No handle, requires more manual dexterity and skill to use properly.
   • Popular Products:
     • Oral-B Essential Floss
     • Oral B Satin floss  ( our recommendation)
     • Johnson & Johnson Reach  Waxed Floss
     • Colgate Total Waxed Dental Floss
3. Floss Picks
   • Benefits: Floss picks are easier to handle than regular floss, making them a good option for people with limited dexterity.
   • Challenges: Can be less effective than regular floss in tight spaces.
   • Popular Products:
     • DenTek Triple Clean Floss Picks
     • Oral-B Glide Floss Picks
     • GUM Soft-Picks Advanced
4. Water Flossers
   • Benefits: Water flossers use a stream of water to clean between teeth and below the gumline. They are especially useful for people with braces or dental implants.
   • Challenges: More expensive, requires access to power and water.
   • Popular Products:
     • Waterpik Ultra Professional Water Flosser  ( our recommendation)
     • Philips Sonicare power flosser
     • Panasonic EW-DJ11 Portable Oral Irrigator
5. Wooden or Plastic Toothpicks
   • Benefits: Useful for dislodging larger food particles between teeth.
   • Challenges: Less effective for thorough cleaning, can sometimes damage gums if not used carefully.
   • Popular Products:
     • Jordan Clean Between Toothpicks
     • DenTek Comfort Clean Toothpicks
     • The Humble Co. Bamboo Toothpicks

Products Suitable for Mature Patients

For older adults or those with reduced manual dexterity, longer handles and water flossers can make interdental cleaning easier:

1. Interdental Brushes with Longer Handles
   • Benefits: Longer handles provide better grip and control, making it easier to reach back teeth.
   • Challenges: Limited sizes available, may not fit all interdental spaces.
   • Popular Products:
     • Curaprox CPS Prime with Holder
     • TePe Angle Interdental Brushes
     • Tandex Flexi Interdental Brushes
2. Water Flossers
   • Benefits: Easy to use, effective at removing debris and plaque, gentle on gums.
   • Challenges: More expensive, requires access to power and water.
   • Popular Products:
     • Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser
     • Panasonic EW-DJ11 Cordless Dental Water Flosser
     • Philips Sonicare Power Flosser 
3. Floss Holders
   • Benefits: Help those with limited dexterity to use dental floss effectively.
   • Challenges: Can be cumbersome to use compared to simpler tools.
   • Popular Products:
     • Philips Sonicare AirFloss
     • Flossaid Dental Floss Holder
     • Listerine Ultraclean Access Flosser

Conclusion

Interdental hygiene of your teeth is essential for maintaining good oral health. Using the right tools can help you effectively remove plaque and food particles, preventing cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Whether you prefer interdental brushes, dental floss, or advanced water flossers, incorporating interdental cleaning into your daily routine is crucial. For those with reduced manual skills, options like water flossers and tools with longer handles provide accessible and efficient solutions.

By taking care of the hidden surfaces between your teeth, you can ensure a healthier mouth and a brighter smile. Happy cleaning!