How to Use Interdental Brushes (Without Stabbing Your Gums)

When you first see or hear about interdental brushes, we don’t blame you if your immediate thought is “aren’t they just another way to torture my gums?” They look a little intimidating, so we get it. But here’s the reality: learning how to use interdental brushes properly is one of the best things you can do for your oral health. And it doesn’t have to involve any gum-stabbing whatsoever.

Why? Your regular toothbrush simply can’t reach those spaces between your teeth where plaque loves to hide. The good news is that interdental brushes, when used correctly, can become an essential part of your daily oral care routine without any discomfort.

Why Your Regular Toothbrush Isn’t Enough

Here’s something that might surprise you: even the most thorough brushing only reaches approximately 60% of your tooth’s surface. That means nearly half of each tooth is left vulnerable to plaque and food particles.

When you don’t clean between your teeth regularly, several problems develop:

• Plaque build-up as bacteria colonise these undisturbed areas.
• Gum inflammation when plaque irritates your gum tissue.
• Bad breath from bacteria and food debris collecting in these spaces.
• Cavity formation between teeth where decay often goes unnoticed.
• Gum disease that can progress to more serious oral health issues.

Plaque that isn’t removed hardens into tartar – a stubborn deposit that only dental professionals can remove. Research shows that interdental cleaning provides significant benefits in plaque reduction when used alongside regular brushing. The studies showed around 30–35% reduction in plaque and bleeding with interdental brushes compared to brushing alone.

Understanding Interdental Brushes: Your New Best Friends

What Exactly Are Interdental Brushes?

An interdental brush is a small, specialised brush designed to clean the gaps in your teeth where your regular toothbrush can’t reach. Most consist of a central plastic-coated metal wire with soft nylon filaments wrapped around it, plus a handle for easy grip. Some modern versions are wire-free and made of soft rubber for an even gentler clean.

Beyond Traditional Dental Floss

While dental tape and floss are important, evidence often supports interdental brushes for cleaning between teeth where there’s space. Dental floss works best for closed interdental spaces, whereas interdental brushes are better for patients with periodontitis or more open spaces. If you have braces or dental appliances, interdental brushes may be more effective than floss at reducing gingivitis and removing plaque.

Choosing the Right Size: The Secret to Pain-Free Cleaning

Here’s where many people go wrong and end up with the “gum-stabbing” experience we mentioned earlier. The right size interdental brush should fit snugly into the space between your teeth without requiring any force whatsoever.

How to Find Your Perfect Fit

The golden rule: Never force the brush into a space. If it feels too tight, bends, or causes discomfort, you need a smaller brush.

The Goldilocks principle: Your brush shouldn’t be too loose (ineffective cleaning) or too tight (potential gum damage). Like the children’s story goes, it should be “just right”.

Size variety: You’ll likely need more than one brush size for different areas of your mouth. The gaps between your front teeth are often smaller than those between your back teeth, and that’s completely normal.

Most people find they need two to three different sizes to effectively clean all the interdental spaces in their mouth. Your dentist or hygienist can help you select the correct sizes during your next visit. Think of it as getting professionally fitted for the perfect cleaning tools.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Your Interdental Brush Like a Pro

Preparation is Key

Before you begin, rinse your interdental brush thoroughly with running water. While some people like to use toothpaste with their interdental brush, others find that regular toothpaste can be too abrasive for this delicate cleaning process. Start without toothpaste and see how you get on.

The Proper Technique

1. Hold the brush comfortably between your index finger and thumb – like holding a pencil, not gripping a hammer.
2. Position yourself in front of a mirror with good lighting (you’ll want to see what you’re doing, especially when you’re learning).
3. Insert the brush gently into the gap between two teeth, holding it horizontally at the gum line.
4. Move the brush back and forth within the gap about four or five times, using the full length of the brush.
5. Ensure contact with both tooth surfaces – the bristles should touch the sides of both teeth to effectively dislodge plaque.
6. Work systematically around your entire mouth, cleaning every interdental space.

Tackling Those Tricky Back Teeth

The back teeth can be harder to reach, but don’t skip them! For these areas:

• Use an angled brush designed for better access to posterior teeth.
• Bend a straight brush slightly (about 45 degrees) to create your own angled tool.
• Curve the brush head gently to navigate around your dental arch.

Avoid continuously bending the brush at severe angles, as this shortens its lifespan.

Special Considerations for Braces and Dental Appliances

Why Interdental Cleaning is Crucial with Braces

If you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, food and debris easily become stuck behind wires, brackets and bands, significantly increasing plaque build-up risk. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease during treatment.

Cleaning Around Orthodontic Appliances

For Braces:

• Gently insert the brush between teeth and around brackets.
• Use gentle back-and-forth motion to dislodge particles and plaque.
• Pay special attention to cleaning around brackets and under wires.
• Change brush sizes or curve the brush to navigate around appliances.

For Implants and Bridges:

• Use the same gentle technique.
• Take extra care around implant posts and bridge connections.

Addressing Common Concerns

“My Gums Are Bleeding – Am I Doing Something Wrong?”

It’s normal to experience slight bleeding when you first start using interdental brushes. This indicates your gums aren’t as healthy as they could be due to existing plaque build-up. The bleeding should reduce as your gums become healthier with consistent use.

If gum bleeding continues excessively after a few days, the brush may be the wrong size or you’re being too aggressive.

“Will These Brushes Create Gaps Between My Teeth?”

When used correctly, interdental brushes shouldn’t cause new gaps. What’s actually happening is that you’re removing plaque and inflammation that may have been “filling” natural spaces, revealing the healthy interdental spaces that were always there.

Making It Part of Your Daily Routine

It’s wise to clean between teeth at least once a day. Many find evening routines work well, but choose a time that fits your schedule consistently.

Your interdental brushes are reusable and should last about one to two weeks:

• Rinse thoroughly after each use
• Store in a well-ventilated place
• Replace when bristles become worn or bent

For optimal oral health, combine daily interdental cleaning with brushing twice daily, regular dental check-ups and a balanced diet.

Ready to Transform Your Oral Health?

Learning proper interdental brush technique is a small change that makes a significant difference. It might feel awkward initially, but once you master it, you’ll wonder how you managed without them.

For personalised advice on choosing the right brush sizes, especially with braces or specific needs, your dental team is your best resource. At Hampstead Orthodontic Practice, we’re here to help you achieve healthier teeth and gums through proper technique and the right tools.

Ready to pay attention to your oral health? Get in touch with us today for a FREE consultation.

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