Use interdental brushes, toothpicks, or still floss?
Brushing twice a day is the basics of good oral hygiene, but did you know that brushing only cleans 60% of your tooth surface? The other 40% is located between your teeth and requires a different approach. What products can be used to keep these areas clean and when do you use them? A brief look at some of the many products on offer.
Why use toothpicks?
No matter how well you brush, to clean the space between the teeth you need an additional tool. Toothpicks are the most well-known form of cleaning between the teeth, interdental cleaning. When you have relatively narrow spaces between your teeth, a stick is ideal. Be sure to use a good toothpick. These are triangular in shape and made of wood.
- nearly always fits
- easy to use
- low-cost
Why use interdental brushes?
When you have larger spaces between your teeth, interdental brushes are best suited. The small bristles remove plaque between your teeth. There are many different sizes of interdental brushes, from 1.9 mm to 12 mm. You use an interdental brush in the same way you use toothpicks. Choose the right size and move the brush back and forth between the teeth several times.
- very effective
- available in many different sizes
- easy in use
TIP: Interdental brushes are ideal for applying blue®m oral gel! Do you have inflamed gums or deep pockets? Put a little amount of gel on the brush before you start cleaning. This way, interdental brushing is doubly effective against inflamed gums!
Why use dental floss?
Dental tape or dental floss is perhaps the most well-known method of cleaning between the teeth. Flossing used to be the number one method of interdental cleaning but nowadays it is known that it is not as effective as people thought. Flossing is quite difficult and in addition it is a time consuming job. However, dental floss or tape fits between any teeth and you don’t need to use different sizes.
Tip: use dental floss or tape only when a toothpick or interdental brush won’t fit.
- less effective compared to toothpicks or interdental brushes
- fits even when teeth are very close together
- less easy to use
Why use a water flosser
A water flosser, also known as a water pick or an oral irrigator, is a device that aims a stream of water at your teeth, which removes the plaque between your teeth.
Many people like it better than dental sticks or interdental brushes because it is more gentle on the gums. In addition, a water flosser also makes sure that your gums stay healthy. You simply move the water flosser along the edge of your gums and stop briefly to clean the space between your teeth. It may take some practice, but once you get used to it, it works really well!
- one-time purchase
- fast and pleasant to use
- Mouthwash can be added
TIP: Add a splash of blue®m mouthwash to the water in the reservoir! That way, the mouthwash gets to the hard-to-reach places between your teeth. This saves rinsing and ensures an extra good cleaning!
Oral rinses or mouthwash
In addition to daily brushing and interdental cleaning, you can use an oral rinse or mouthwash. Mouthwash gets into hard-to-reach places and cares for the mucosa at the same time. Especially after using a toothpick or interdental brush, it is beneficial to rinse with mouthwash for optimal oral hygiene.
Do you experience bad breath, bleeding gums or wounds in your mouth? Then you can certainly benefit from the use of a mouthwash. Choose a soothing mouthwash that suits you. For example, a special mouthwash for sensitive mouths or a pleasant fresh mouthwash.
- Addition to daily oral care
- Does not replace brushing or interdental cleaning.
- Effective against oral problems