Interdental Brushes

Hey Smile Crew,

We've met the main cast of your oral hygiene routine – Brenda the Brush, Flossie the Investigator, the Mouthrinse After-Party, and the Waterpik Power Wash. But sometimes, there are tricky spots, little nooks, crannies, and wider spaces where even floss struggles to do a thorough cleanup. That's where our next specialist comes in: the Interdental Brush! Let's call this little dynamo "Gappy the Gumline Guru."

Think of Gappy as the precision detailing tool for your mouth. While floss is like a thin squeegee, Gappy is a tiny bottle brush designed specifically to sweep clean the surfaces between your teeth, especially when there's a bit more space to work with.

What Exactly ARE Interdental Brushes?

They are small brushes specifically designed to clean the interproximal surfaces (the sides of your teeth that face each other). They consist of a central wire core with soft bristles attached, kind of like a miniature pipe cleaner made for your mouth.

Why Use Gappy? The Perks of Precision Cleaning:

Interdental brushes aren't just an alternative; for many situations, they are the superior tool:

• Reaching Where Others Can't: They excel at cleaning concave surfaces between teeth (little dips and grooves) where floss might just bridge over.

  
  

• Larger Gaps: If you have spaces where teeth don't touch tightly, an interdental brush fills that space much more effectively than thin floss.

  
  

• Perio Powerhouse: For patients managing periodontal (gum) disease, these brushes are often essential. They can gently clean slightly below the gumline and are incredibly effective at disrupting plaque in periodontal pockets, helping to reduce inflammation and bleeding.

  
  

• Furcation Fanatics: Furcations are areas where the roots of multi-rooted teeth (like molars) divide. These spots are notorious plaque traps and are virtually impossible to clean well with floss. Interdental brushes are the tool of choice here.

  
  

• Braces, Bridges, and Implants: Like water flossers, they are fantastic for cleaning around orthodontic appliances, under bridges, and around dental implants.

  
  

The Interdental Brush Spectrum: Types, Sizes & Brands

Gappy comes in various forms, so finding your perfect match is key:

1. Standard Small Brushes: These are the most common type – a small brush head on a short handle or grip.

   
   

   • Sizing is CRITICAL: They come in a wide range of diameters, often color-coded. You need a size that fits snugly but comfortably into the space without being forced. Too small won't clean effectively; too large can cause trauma. You might even need different sizes for different gaps in your mouth!

     

     
     

   • Brands: TePe (very popular, known for extensive size range and color-coding), Curaprox, Piksters (often have a cap that doubles as a handle extension).

   
   

2. Long-Handled Brushes: Some brands offer designs with longer, toothbrush-like handles, making it easier to reach spaces between back teeth without awkward finger gymnastics. TePe offers these, as do others.

   
   

3. Replaceable Head Systems: Some systems feature a reusable handle where you just replace the small brush tip, potentially reducing plastic waste.

   
   

4. Rubber/Elastomer Picks: While not technically "brushes," tools like GUM® Soft-Picks® feature soft, flexible rubbery bristles. They are very gentle, easy to use (great for beginners!), and still effective at removing plaque and stimulating gums, especially for tighter spaces or sensitive gums.

   
   

How to Use Gappy Gently and Effectively:

Technique matters to maximize cleaning and minimize harm:

1. Choose the Right Size(s): This is the most crucial step! Ask your dentist or hygienist to help you determine the correct sizes for your specific interdental spaces. The brush should slide in with gentle pressure, feeling snug, but never force it.

   
   

2. Gentle Insertion: Carefully insert the brush straight into the space between your teeth at the gumline. Do notangle it sharply or force it, as you could injure your gums or bend the wire.

   
   

3. In-and-Out Motion: Once inserted, gently move the brush back and forth horizontally (in and out of the space) a few times. Avoid vigorous up-and-down scrubbing against the gums.

   
   

4. Clean All Spaces: Repeat for every space between your teeth, including the back surfaces of the last molars.

   
   

5. Rinse: Rinse the brush with water after cleaning each gap to remove debris.

   
   

6. Replace: Replace the brush head when the bristles become worn or the wire is bent (usually after a week or two of use, depending on the brand and your usage).

   
   

Timing is Key: Before or After Brushing?

The most common recommendation, and the one supported by research for maximizing fluoride benefit and plaque removal, is to use your interdental brush BEFORE brushing your teeth.

• Rationale: Cleaning between the teeth first removes plaque and food debris from those hard-to-reach areas. This allows the fluoride from your toothpaste to better access all tooth surfaces, including the interproximal ones you just cleaned, during brushing, leading to higher fluoride retention in those areas.

  
  

While doing it after isn't harmful, doing it before potentially enhances plaque removal and the protective effect of your fluoride toothpaste.

The Science Speaks: Clinical Evidence for Interdental Brushes

Don't just take my word for it! Strong scientific evidence supports the use of interdental brushes. Systematic reviews, which analyze multiple high-quality studies (considered a high level of evidence), have consistently found that interdental brushes are more effective than dental floss at reducing both plaque scores and gingival inflammation (bleeding/gingivitis) when used in addition to toothbrushing, particularly in patients with open interdental spaces.

For example, a well-regarded Cochrane Review concluded that using an interdental brush in addition to toothbrushing provides superior results in plaque and gingivitis reduction compared to using floss in addition to toothbrushing, especially where larger gaps permit their use.

The Bottom Line on Gappy:

Interdental brushes are highly effective, evidence-based tools for cleaning between your teeth. They often outperform floss, particularly for individuals with gum disease, larger gaps, furcations, or dental work like braces and bridges.

The key is correct sizing and gentle technique. Finding the right fit might require trying a few sizes, and we are here to help guide you! If you think Gappy the Gumline Guru might be a good addition to your routine, let's talk about it at your next visit. We can assess your specific needs and help you choose the right tools for your optimal oral health.

Keep cleaning those nooks and crannies!

Warmly,

Dr. Noor N. AyToghlo

References:

1. Slot DE, Dörfer CE, Van der Weijden GA. The efficacy of inter-dental brushes on plaque and parameters of periodontal inflammation: a systematic review. Int J Dent Hyg. 2008 Nov;6(4):253-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2008.00315.x.

2. Mazhari F, Boskabady M, Moeintaghavi A, Habibi A. The effect of toothbrushing and flossing sequence on interdental plaque reduction and fluoride retention: A randomized controlled clinical trial. J Periodontol. 2018 Jul;89(7):824-832. doi: 10.1002/JPER.17-0149.

3. Worthington HV, MacDonald L, Poklepovic Pericic T, Sambunjak D, Johnson TM, Imai P, Clarkson JE. Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Apr 10;4(4):CD012018. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012018.pub2.