Interdental cleaning: how to clean between your teeth

Interdental brushes or floss: which should you use?

• 🦷 Interdental brushes – often the first choice when there is enough space between the teeth.
• 🪢 Floss – useful when the spaces are very small or tight.
• ✨ Other interdental brushes or aids – depending on your mouth and the space between your teeth.

Why clean between teeth if you use an electric toothbrush?

Daily interdental cleaning removes plaque from places your toothbrush cannot reach properly.

It helps keep your gums healthy and lowers the risk of:

And no… you do not have to remodel your entire mouth to fit an interdental brush. 😉

The aid must fit your space. Too small will not clean well enough; too large may damage your gums.

• inflamed gums;
• cavities between teeth;
• bad breath.

The right aid makes the difference

Every mouth is different.

The spaces between your teeth can differ and change, for example because of:

It is also important that the aid feels comfortable.

Cleaning between your teeth should not become a daily battle. If an aid feels unpleasant, you are less likely to keep using it.

• receding gums;
• braces;
• crowns;
• implants;
• other dental treatments.

In short

Cleaning between your teeth is far from an unnecessary luxury.

Using the right aid every day ultimately makes the biggest difference to a healthy mouth.

How to choose a size without forcing the brush

An interdental brush should fit the space without being forced. You may need more than one size. Ask your dental hygienist to check the fit and demonstrate the technique; for spaces too tight for a brush, ask about floss.

For the rest of your routine, see how to use an electric toothbrush. If cleaning causes bleeding, read why gums bleed and when to seek advice.