Standard brushing cleans the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of teeth, but it fails to reach the tight spaces where teeth meet. Nearly 40% of the tooth surface remains untouched by brush bristles alone. Interdental cleaning is the necessary step to remove the hidden plaque and food debris that accumulate in these narrow areas. The mechanical removal of this bacterial film prevents gum inflammation and tooth decay.
Mastering the String Floss Technique
The foundation of effective interdental care lies in mastering the traditional string floss technique. Begin by tearing off approximately 18 inches of floss, ensuring enough material to use a clean segment for every tooth. Most of this length should be lightly wound around the middle finger of one hand, with a small amount wound around the middle finger of the other hand to act as the take-up spool.
The working length of floss should be a taut, one-to-two-inch segment held between the thumbs and index fingers. Gently guide the floss between the teeth using a rocking or sawing motion, taking care not to snap it down suddenly onto the gums. Once the contact point is passed, curve the floss against one tooth, forming a “C” shape that wraps around the side of the tooth.
The C-shape allows the floss to conform to the tooth’s curved surface. Slide the floss gently into the space between the tooth and the gum line, moving it up and down several times to dislodge plaque. The goal is to clean just below the gum line, not to saw aggressively at the gum tissue itself.
After cleaning the first tooth surface, keep the C-shape and slide the floss to the adjacent tooth surface. Use gentle vertical strokes to clean the second tooth before pulling the floss out. Unwind a fresh section from the spool finger and wind the used section onto the take-up finger before moving to the next pair of teeth.
Alternative Tools for Interdental Cleaning
While string floss is effective, several other tools offer unique advantages and can complement or replace traditional flossing. These tools cater to different anatomical needs and personal preferences, making it easier to maintain a consistent routine.
Water Flossers
Water flossers utilize a focused, pulsating stream of water to remove plaque and debris from between teeth and below the gum line. The mechanism relies on irrigation rather than mechanical scraping, which benefits individuals with dexterity issues or sensitive gums. The pulsation delivers a rapid succession of water bursts, generating a compression and decompression phase that effectively cleans the targeted area.
These devices flush out loose debris and reduce gum inflammation. They are often favored by people who find string flossing cumbersome or those with specific dental needs, such as deep periodontal pockets where traditional tools struggle to reach. The water pressure is adjustable, allowing users to find a setting that is both effective and comfortable.
Interdental Brushes and Picks
Interdental brushes are small, cylindrical or tapered brushes designed to fit into the space between teeth and clean the sides of the teeth and the gum line. They come in a wide range of diameters, and selecting the correct size is important; the brush must fit snugly but not require force to insert. The motion involves gently pushing the brush in and out between the teeth several times.
These brushes suit individuals with moderate to large spaces between their teeth, often occurring with gum recession. The bristles contact more surface area in a wider gap than a single strand of floss. Plastic or wooden interdental picks are designed for quick removal of food debris but are less effective at removing established plaque than brushes or string floss.
Floss Picks
Floss picks hold a small segment of floss tautly stretched between two prongs attached to a handle. They offer convenience for travel or for cleaning the back teeth, where maneuvering string floss is difficult. However, floss picks limit the ability to wrap the floss into the necessary C-shape around the tooth. This fixed orientation often cleans only the contact point rather than the entire side of the tooth below the gum line.
Adapting Cleaning for Unique Dental Situations
Specialized dental work or anatomical variations require modifications to the standard interdental cleaning routine. People with fixed orthodontic appliances, like traditional braces, must navigate wires and brackets. Floss threaders, which are small, flexible loops, are used to pull string floss under the archwire before cleaning the teeth.
Alternatively, specialized orthodontic tips for water flossers simultaneously irrigate and brush around brackets and wires. For fixed dental restorations, such as bridges and implants, cleaning the space beneath the prosthetic prevents peri-implant disease or decay. Superfloss, which features a stiffened end for threading and a spongy midsection, is used to clean the underside of bridge work.
Cleaning around dental implants involves using larger, plastic-coated interdental brushes or specialized implant-specific water flosser tips to avoid scratching the titanium surface. Individuals with wide interdental spaces or bone loss from periodontal disease benefit most from interdental brushes. These larger brushes efficiently clean the wider gaps and the exposed, recessed root surfaces that string floss cannot easily address.
Establishing an Interdental Routine
Consistency is the defining factor in successful interdental hygiene, regardless of the tool chosen. Interdental cleaning should be performed at least once every 24 hours to disrupt plaque colonies. Plaque takes about a day to mature and become more harmful, so daily removal prevents significant damage.
The precise timing can be flexible, but many dental professionals suggest cleaning before brushing. This dislodges plaque and food debris, allowing the subsequent fluoride toothpaste to better reach exposed tooth surfaces. Cleaning before bed is recommended, as salivary flow decreases significantly during sleep, making the teeth more vulnerable to acid attack.
Establishing this habit involves linking the interdental step to an existing daily activity, such as brushing or showering. Users gauge the effectiveness of their routine by observing a reduction in gum inflammation and bleeding over a few weeks. Regular, thorough cleaning leads to firmer, healthier gum tissue.