Interdental brushing

Even with regular brushing, your toothbrush will only be able to clean the front, back and biting surfaces of the teeth, and will not reach those tight spaces between teeth. This means food and plaque can build up in these narrow gaps and lead to gum inflammation, tooth decay or bad breath. In order to remove any debris, we recommend you clean between your teeth once a day, either in the morning or evening.

There are a number of ways to keep those normally inaccessible spaces clean including:

• Interdental brushes – these are thin brushes of varying types that are suitable for cleaning all but the very tightest of gaps.
• Dental floss – a soft, thin thread that comes in different widths and can clean below the gum line.
• Dental tape – thicker than floss and can be easier to use.
• Dental sticks – these are made from wood or plastic and have pointed ends for quick and easy cleaning.
• Oral irrigators – these use a pressurised stream of water to dislodge debris.

Don’t be put off if your gums bleed when you clean between your teeth. Regular cleaning, using the correct technique, can help improve your gum health and the bleeding should subside as your gums become healthier.