Your guide to interdental toothbrushes

 

 

Ever seen those tiny little toothbrushes and wondered what on earth they’re for? Well those are interdental toothbrushes and you shouldn’t underestimate them!

 

These tiny toothbrushes are perfect for cleaning all of the little nooks and crannies that regular sized toothbrushes just can’t reach.

 

Let’s take a look at them in detail as we answer all of your questions about interdental brushes and what they do best.

 

 

What are interdental toothbrushes?

 

Interdental toothbrushes are smaller toothbrushes which fit between your teeth to clean away all of the plaque and food that builds up there throughout the day.

 

They’re small enough to fit into the gaps between your teeth and are ideal for those who are looking for a quick and easy way to clean all of the little nooks and crannies that regular brushing can’t reach.

 

They help to prevent gum disease by removing plaque bacteria from between all of your teeth quickly and effectively.

 

 

How to use an interdental brush

 

Use your interdental brushes once or twice a day to clean between your teeth, remembering to use these brushes at the same time that you usually brush your teeth.

 

Using a brush that is the right size for your teeth, gently work the brush into the gaps between your teeth and brush it back and forth to remove plaque.

 

Then remove the brush and move onto the next tooth. Make sure that you remember to clean between every tooth by working from one side of your mouth to the other, cleaning your top teeth first and then cleaning the bottom in the same way.

 

When you’re done, rinse the brush in clean water to remove any plaque or food left on the brush.

 

 

Should I use an interdental brush before or after I brush my teeth?

 

You should use an interdental brush before you brush your teeth. This will clear out all of the plaque and food from between your teeth so you can brush the rest away easily with your regular toothbrush.

 

Remember to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day, whether or not you’re using your interdental brush twice a day. Interdental brushing is no replacement for giving your teeth a good brush, morning and evening!

 

What size interdental toothbrush should I use?

 

Interdental toothbrushes come in a range of different sizes so you’ll be able to find one that suits your teeth perfectly.

 

The only way to find out which brush is right for you is to try them out! Tandex interdental toothbrushes come in a handy trial pack which contains 6 different brush sizes for you to try in one box.

 

When you’ve got your brushes, start by inserting the smallest one between your teeth and seeing how it fits.

 

Then try out the next size up and keep trying larger brushes until you find one that fits between your teeth snugly without having to force it into the gap, this brush is the one for you!

 

You may find that you need a different brush for different parts of your mouth, for example, your back teeth will probably need a larger interdental brush than your front teeth.

 

Make sure to try out the brushes in your trial pack in a few different sets of teeth so you can choose a set of brushes that are right for you and your teeth.

 

 

Can you reuse interdental brushes?

 

Interdental brushes are just like regular toothbrushes in that they can be reused every time you clean your teeth until the brush wears out.

 

Just remember to keep an eye on the state of the brush overall, and replace it when it becomes worn.

 

A worn toothbrush isn’t going to make it more difficult to clean your teeth effectively, so take a look at your brush every day to see if it’s worn out.

 

How long do interdental brushes last?

 

Although they can be reused, interdental brushes have a shelf life just like any toothbrush.

 

Your average interdental brush can last anywhere between 3 days to a few weeks, depending on how hard you are on the brush and how much work it has to do.

 

If you use one brush for your entire mouth, then it’s naturally going to become worn more quickly than one that’s only used for some of your teeth, so take that into account when you’re checking your brushes for wear and tear.

 

 

Can interdental brushes damage my gums?

 

If you use your interdental brush properly, then you’re not going to damage your gums.

 

In fact, your gums will get healthier over time as you use your interdental brushes, as they’ll be cleaner and free from the build up of bacteria that can happen between your teeth.

 

When you first start to use your interdental brushes, your gums might bleed a little bit, especially if you’re not used to cleaning between your teeth, but you shouldn’t let this discourage you.

 

Keep using your interdental brushes at least once a day, then your gums will get healthier and won’t bleed when you clean between your teeth.

 

However, it must be mentioned that if you use an interdental brush that’s too big for your teeth, then forcing the brush into a gap that’s too small for it could cause damage to your gums.

 

This is why it’s so important to pick the right brush size for your teeth, using a trial pack to begin with.

 

 

Should I use interdental brushes or floss?

 

As interdental brushes and tooth floss do pretty much the same thing, choosing to use one or the other is entirely down to your own preferences.

 

Some people prefer to use dental floss and it will work well enough to clean between the teeth, but it can be less effective than using an interdental brush.

 

People usually find that Tandex interdental brushes are much easier to use than floss, as they have a flexible handle that’s designed to be easy to hold, making it simple to manoeuvre the brush between each tooth.

 

You can also bend the tip of your interdental brush to make it easier to get into the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth.

 

On top of all this, being able to choose different sized brushes for each of your teeth can make brushing more effective, especially if you’re trying to clean between wider gaps.

 

 

Can I use interdental brushes for braces?

 

Interdental brushes are perfect for those who have braces and want to clean between their teeth properly.

 

The way braces sit on the teeth mean that you can’t use floss to clean the gaps between your teeth, but interdental brushes don’t have that problem.

 

Because you insert them between the teeth from the front, you can use them to clean around your braces easily, so you can feel confident that your teeth have had a proper clean.

 

 

Now you know everything there is to know about interdental brushes, what they do, and why they’re a great option when you want to keep your teeth sparkling clean!

 

Now it’s time to pick up that trial pack of brushes and find the best interdental brush for you! What are you waiting for? Go ahead, your teeth will thank you for it!