What is Interdental Brushing?

When it comes to keeping gum disease at bay, nothing beats an interdental brush! These tiny brushes clear away any food debris and plaque hiding between the teeth, which will keep your gum tissue healthy.  

If plaque and bacteria are allowed to build up between the teeth, the gums will become irritated and swollen. Interdental brushes are great for everyone, but we recommend them especially those who have a history of problems with their gums.

What are interdental brushes?  

Interdental brushes are very small and have handles similar to a toothbrush. They have a small, conical head with bristles, meant to clean between the teeth. Interdental brushes come in different sizes depending on the spacing between your teeth; for example, you will need one size for the gap between the front teeth, and another for the gaps between the molars.

Tips on using an interdental brush  

You should always make sure to follow the advice of your dentist when using your interdental brush. Below are a few tips that may also help:

• Make sure you’re using the right-sized brush for the gaps between each tooth. Don’t force the brush between the teeth.
• Brush gently between each tooth. Brushing too vigorously may do damage to your gum tissue.
• Brush in a pattern around your entire mouth. Having a starting and ending point ensures that you won’t miss any spaces between the teeth.

When you first begin to incorporate interdental brushing into your routine, it’s common for your gums to become tender or bleed a bit. Continue using the brushes as normal, and the bleeding and tenderness will reduce as the tissue becomes healthier.

If you have questions or concerns about interdental brushing, please don’t hesitate to make an appointment here at Jennifer Lopez Dental. We’re happy to give advice about interdental brushing at our Miami, Florida dentist’s office!