How Little Brushes Make a Big Difference
An effective daily oral care routine is the cornerstone of optimal oral health. Brushing alone is not enough, you also need to clean where plaque and food particles love to hide – between the teeth.
This September, National Oral Health Month, is an ideal time to look beyond traditional tools and embrace interdental brushes as an easy-to-use, effective way to clean between the teeth for a healthy, clean smile and super fresh breath.
Here are five compelling reasons to give interdental brushes a go:
- Superior plaque removal: Interdentally speaking, interdental brushes have been shown* to remove more plaque than traditional string floss and toothpicks. The tiny bristles ‘brush’ between the teeth to remove food particles and harmful bacteria for a cleaner mouth.
- The perfect fit: Available in multiple sizes, interdental brushes are great for effectively cleaning small or wide gaps as well as food traps (where food regularly gets stuck).
- Hygienically clean: GUM interdental brushes are the only ones in South Africa with special antibacterial coated bristles to prevent the reintroduction of bacteria into your mouth.
- Gentle to use: Interdental brushing can be easier and more comfortable than traditional flossing, especially for people who limited manual dexterity or mobility issues.
- Recommended by dental professionals: The research speaks for itself – interdental brushes are preferred by dental professionals because they are effective and easy to use, which means patients are more compliant at using them regularly, which in turn leads to better oral health outcomes.
“Interdental brushes are particularly beneficial for people with limited dexterity,” explains Dirna Grobbelaar, oral hygiene advisor at Ivohealth. “They are especially useful for patients with bridges, implants, or orthodontic braces, who need to maintain meticulous oral hygiene but will find flossing more challenging.”
For expert advice on choosing the right interdental tool speak to your dentist or oral hygienist. For more tips from Dirna Grobbelaar on excellent interdental care read this article.
What to look for in an interdental brush?
- Antibacterial-coated bristles to prevent reintroducing bacteria into the mouth.
- No wire, or a coated wire, so it doesn’t damage gums or teeth.
- Flexibility and a long handle to help you reach every area, including the teeth at the back of your mouth.
- Reusable, for convenience and value.
- Travel cap to use on-the-go. Ideal when you have braces or a food trap.
- Multiple sizes – so you can find a perfect fit for every gap.
References:
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Kiger RD, Nylund K, Feller RP. A comparison of proximal plaque removal using floss and interdental brushes. J Clin Periodontol. 1991 Oct;18(9):681-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1991.tb00109.x. PMID: 1960236. “The results indicate that the interdental brush used in combination with a toothbrush is more effective in the removal of plaque from proximal tooth surfaces than a toothbrush used alone or in combination with dental floss.”
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Imai PH, Yu X, MacDonald D. Comparison of interdental brush to dental floss for reduction of clinical parameters of periodontal disease: a systematic review. 2012. In: Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews [Internet]. York (UK): Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (UK); 1995-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK99431/ “There was a statistically significant reduction in plaque for use of interdental brushes compared to dental floss (WMD 0.13, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.25; seven studies). The authors assumed the studies in this analysis were homogenous (Ι²=34.26%).”