Cleaning between your teeth effectively requires the use of specialized interdental products.
Why is Cleaning Between Teeth Important?
Even the best toothbrush can't reach every surface in your mouth. Food particles and plaque can easily get trapped between your teeth, leading to:
- Cavities (tooth decay)
- Gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis)
- Bad breath
Effective Methods for Interdental Cleaning
To clean between your teeth, you must use special tools:
- Dental Floss: A thin string used to scrape plaque and debris from between teeth.
- Interdental Brushes: Small brushes designed to clean the spaces between teeth. These come in different sizes to accommodate various gaps.
How to Use Dental Floss
- Break off about 18 inches of floss.
- Wind most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the middle finger of the other hand.
- Gently guide the floss between your teeth using a seesaw motion.
- Curve the floss around each tooth, sliding it gently under the gumline.
- Use a clean section of floss for each tooth.
How to Use Interdental Brushes
- Select a brush size that fits snugly into the gap between your teeth without forcing it.
- Gently insert the brush between your teeth, moving it back and forth to clean the space.
- Rinse the brush after each use.
- Replace the brush when it becomes worn or bent.
When to Clean Between Teeth
For the best results, you should clean between your teeth once a day before brushing your teeth. This allows the fluoride in your toothpaste to reach the cleaned areas more effectively.
Conclusion
Using dental floss or an interdental brush daily is essential for maintaining good oral health. These tools reach the areas your toothbrush can't, preventing plaque build-up and the problems it causes.
