What are Interdental Brushes?
Learn what they are about below.
Similar Cleaning Methods
- What are Interdental Brushes
- Caring for your Interdental Brushes
- The importance of Interdental Brush Sizes
There are multiple factors that help control decay (learn more about these factors here) but one of the primary ways of controlling the plaque that can lead to decay is through mechanical removal of the biofilm (collection of bacteria). That is why the toothbrush is so successful at reduce caries/decay as it is designed to achieve the greatest plaque control. However, the toothbrush is only successful in removing plaque on the biting surface and the outer surfaces towards the tongue, cheek. It cannot completely clean between where two teeth meet. Floss is great for cleaning where the two teeth meet each other (the contact). However, in some people, floss is unable to reach & clean certain spots (learn more about floss here). As result, interdental brushes are ideal here as they are like small little brushes with the main purpose of cleaning between teeth with slightly larger gaps.
Common reasons why your oral health practitioner may suggest them:
Interdental brushes are reusable, but you need to make sure you keep an eye on the bristles. If they wear down, then you need to replace them. You can clean them like your toothbrush, after their use wash them with some water and allow them to dry.See the video below on how to use the interdental brushes. Understand that this can differ depending on your dexterity therefore remember to ask your oral health practitioner to show you the technique as it may need to be adjust so that it is specific for you.
There are multiple sizes and the size is important for where it should be used. Small brushes tend to be used for small anterior spaces, then as they increase, they can be used for splinted/stripped teething. General oral hygiene needs cleaning around dental bridges, implants, and teeth further back in the mouth. Once you get to medium size you tend to use it to clean longer bridges, ortho and larger spaces. Large brushes are often used to clean where teeth are missing teeth and extra-large spaces. Follow your oral health practitioners advise on which size is right for your situation.
| Piksters | TePes |
|---|---|
| (diameter of twisted wire) | (diameter of twisted wire) |
| Size 00 (0.32mm) Pink | No size 00 in Tepe |
| Size 0 (0.36mm) Grey | Size 0 (0.4mm) Pink |
| Size 1 (0.45mm) Purple | Size 1 (0.45mm) Orange |
| Size 2 (0.52mm) White | Size 2 (0.50mm) Red |
| Size 3 (0.52mm) Yellow tapered brush head |
Size 3 (0.60mm) Blue |
| Size 4 (0.52mm) Red Wider tapered brush head |
Size 4 (0.70mm) Yellow |
| Size 5 (0.56mm) Blue | Size 5 (0.8mm) Green |
| Size 6 (0.63mm) Green | Size 6 (1.1mm) Purple |
| Size 7 (0.73mm) Black | Size 7 (1.3mm) Grey |
| Size 8 (0.73mm) Orange tapered brushed head |
Size 8 (1.5mm) Black |
| Size 9 (0.73mm) Brown straight brush head |
No size 9 in Tepe |
If you have finished reading all the information on this page, get a certificate for your hard work.
This page provides general information about dental topics. It does not contain all the known facts of this subject and is not intended to replace personal advice from your dentist. If your not sure about anything on this site, contact us or speak to your local oral health practitioner. Make sure you give your local oral health practitioner your complete medical history and dental history.
A selection of the references used:
Slot, D., Dörfer, C. and Van der Weijden, G. (2008), The efficacy of interdental brushes on plaque and parameters of periodontal inflammation: a systematic review. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 6: 253-264. doi:10.1111/j.1601-5037.2008.00330.x
Hitz Lindenmüller, I., & Lambrecht, J. T. (2011). Oral Care. Current Problems in Dermatology, 107–115. doi:10.1159/000321060
Piksters Interdental Brush Size 5 Blue - 40 Pack. SuperPharmacyPlus. (2020). Retrieved 30 September 2020, from https://superpharmacyplus.com.au/piksters-interdental-brush-size-5-blue-40-pack/.
Interdental brushes. Piksters.com. (2020). Retrieved 30 September 2020, from https://piksters.com/how-why-you-should-use-interdental-brushes.
Interdental brushes | TePe Australia. TePe Australia. (2020). Retrieved 30 September 2020, from https://www.tepe.com/au/products/interdental-brushes/.
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