Interdental cleaning, often called flossing, removes food debris and the sticky film of bacteria (plaque) from the tight spaces between teeth and beneath the gum line. A toothbrush cannot effectively reach the 30 to 40% of the tooth surface that lies in these narrow gaps. When traditional string floss is unavailable, many people seek alternatives to maintain this necessary oral hygiene routine. While some manufactured tools offer safe, long-term replacements, others are non-dental substitutes that carry significant risks. This exploration provides guidance for both preferred daily use and true emergencies.
Tools Designed for Interdental Cleaning
Several purpose-built devices offer a different approach to interdental cleaning than traditional string floss. These tools are designed to be safe for the gums and efficient at plaque removal. Interdental brushes are miniature, tapered brushes featuring a fine wire core surrounded by bristles. They come in various sizes, allowing users to select the correct width for each space, and are helpful for cleaning around braces, bridges, or dental implants.
Soft dental picks provide a flexible, rubber-tipped option for those with limited dexterity or a preference for a non-string format. These picks gently slide into the interdental space to scrape away debris and massage the gum tissue.
Water flossers, also called oral irrigators, use a pressurized stream of water to flush out food particles and bacteria from below the gum line and between teeth. Hydro-flossing is beneficial for individuals with orthodontic appliances or complex dental work, as the water jet can reach areas that solid tools cannot. Studies show that water flossers can be more effective at reducing gingivitis than string floss.
Emergency Household Substitutes and Associated Risks
Dental professionals strongly discourage using common household items to remove trapped food immediately. Items like sewing thread, paper, or hair are not sterile and can introduce contaminants, including bacteria, into the mouth. Sewing thread, in particular, is composed of multiple strands and has a rough, abrasive texture. Using force to push rough material between tight contacts can cause trauma, leading to nicks or cuts in the delicate gum tissue.
The primary danger is that non-dental threads can easily shred or break, leaving small, fuzzy fibers lodged beneath the gum line. These remnants act as irritants, increasing the risk of localized inflammation or infection. Furthermore, non-floss materials are generally ineffective at scraping the plaque film from the tooth surface, often just pushing debris further into the gum pocket. Using a strand of hair is also discouraged because it may carry hair products and dirt, and its thinness makes it inadequate for effective plaque removal. These substitutes should only be considered an absolute last resort for dislodging a single, irritating food particle and must be used with extreme caution to avoid irreversible gum damage.
Consequences of Skipping Interdental Cleaning
Neglecting the spaces between teeth allows plaque to quickly accumulate and mature. Within 24 to 72 hours, this soft plaque can harden into a calcified deposit called tartar, which requires professional intervention. The bacteria in plaque and tartar irritate the gums, initiating gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease characterized by redness, swelling, and bleeding.
If gingivitis is not reversed, the condition can progress to periodontitis. This severe form of gum disease involves chronic inflammation that damages the soft tissue and the bone supporting the teeth. Untreated periodontitis leads to gum recession, the formation of pockets, and eventually tooth loss. The acids produced by the bacteria also erode tooth enamel, leading to cavities that are difficult to treat.