Q What is an interdental brush? A It is a small brush that can be held between your
thumb and your fingers. Interdental brushes are available
in various sizes which enables you to choose which size is
most suitable for you. You may need to use more than one size
to enable you to effectively clean all spaces between your
teeth.
Q Why clean between teeth?
A Over the course of a day, food and debris get lodged in
between your teeth, and in any gaps you may have. If left,
this debris can cause dental decay and gum disease. Removing
food debris with an interdental brush will help keep your
breath fresh. Cleaning in between your teeth makes sure that
you are cleaning your mouth as thoroughly as possible.
Q Should I use an interdental brush instead of my normal toothbrush? A No. These small brushes should be used as part
of your normal oral hygiene routine to be effective.
Q Why is my normal toothbrush not enough? A You will know that there are certain places in
your mouth that are difficult to reach with your normal brush.
There are also some gaps between your teeth that your toothbrush
will not be able to access.
Q How can the interdental brush help? A With its small bristles and tiny bottle type head
the brush can be moved between the teeth to remove debris
and plaque that will not have been removed by your usual toothbrush.
Q How do I use it? A Select a suitable sized interdental brush. Never
force the brush between the teeth. Between front teeth, use
a finer brush, a twisting movement eases the brush comfortably
between the teeth. Remove the brush by gently pulling thereby
removing plaque and debris. Repeat the twisting motion to
re-insert and pull out several times until you are satisfied
the space is clean. For larger spaces nearer the back of the
mouth, a larger headed brush should be selected. To be as
effective as possible, shape the head into a "banana"
curve. You will then be able to easily locate and clean the
space effectively. Rinsing the brush enables you to use the
brush again.
Q When should I use it? A You don't need to be in the bathroom to be able
to clean interdentally. You don't even need to do it at the
same as you brush your teeth. You could be anywhere.
Courtesy of TePe