Choosing the correct interdental cleaning device

Dental professionals recommend that you should clean between and brush your teeth. The plaque is a key part in the development of gum disease and cavities. Plaque must be removed to prevent both diseases.

Cleaning between your teeth helps prevent gum disease and cavities.

Marchesan et al. (2018) reinforced the need for cleaning between the teeth to reduce the development of gum disease and cavities. This study included 6,891 individuals who were 30 years and older. There was less periodontal disease among those using interdental cleaning devices. Cleaning between the teeth 4-7 times per week yielded beneficial results.

Choosing a device to clean between your teeth

Many reviews have been conducted to evaluate different interdental devices to clean between the teeth. Below are some points to consider when choosing your tool.

• Sie of the spaces between your teeth
• Level of dexterity
• Technical difficulty of the task
• Ease of use of the device
• Your motivation

The different tools available to clean between your teeth.

In a network meta-analysis completed by Kotsakis et al. (2018) comparisons were made among different methods of cleaning between the teeth. Twenty-two studies were explored, and then an analysis was completed to draw comparisons among different interventions used for plaque disruption between the teeth. The following methods were looked into:

• Flossing
• Powered flossing
• Toothpicks
• Toothpicks with intensive oral hygiene instructions
• Water jet irrigation devices
• Interdental brushes
• Gum massaging devices
• Toothbrush only
• Powered toothbrush
• Powered toothbrush and waterjet

In conclusion, interdental brushes displayed the best result regarding reduction in gum inflammation, plaque reduction, and pocket reduction. The authors did however state that products need to be based on individual and clinical needs.

Read more: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29481764 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29520910/