Which one would you choose? Hi, I’m Dr Alex Teckkam! There are floss picks that are called platypus flossers that are made especially for braces and are thinner so they can fit between the wire and your tooth. If space is too tight, then use floss. Any advice given should not be used instead of going to seek a clinician. Removes more bacteria than flossing and tooth brushing or tooth brushing alone. These can be particularly helpful for reaching areas that are tough even for string floss to hit, such as the back teeth. Flossing has become really popular since the dance move went viral. Choosing either interdental brushes or dental floss is in many cases a personal preference. Interdental brushes vs floss Are interdental brushes as good as floss? String Floss vs. Interdental Brushes "Floss regularly" is good advice that any dentist will give. They found that interdental brushes outperformed dental floss at reducing gingivitis (gum disease). A regular-sized toothbrush can’t reach many areas between the teeth. An interdental brush has several advantages over standard floss. These include interdental brush, dental floss and/or interdental stimulator. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. However, some people find using dental floss … Easier to handle and clean in between – Just a back and forth motion needed and there are handles (short and long) on interdental brushes, making it better for all, particularly those with limited dexterity. Painful – Can cut into the gums and be unpleasant to use. Dental Floss. Many of us wonder whether it is better to use interdental brushes or floss. What Everybody Ought to Know About Toothbrushing, How to Toothbrush in Two minutes and get Whiter Teeth, Oral-B Pro 2 2500 Electric Toothbrush Review, Philips Sonicare Essence Review by a Dentist. All my views are my own. I do think that you should still use dental floss, on any spaces that interdental brushes do not fit. Non-contact brushing is a phenomenon where some electric toothbrushes can clean surfaces they do not physically touch. Editor and founder of Dentistry Blogger and Private Dentist at Teckkam Dental Care. This helps remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles to keep teeth and gums healthy. Interdental brushes are small brushes specifically meant for cleaning between the teeth. To prevent this from occurring, we recommend that you use either dental floss or interdental brushes daily, depending on what fits in the gap. They found that there were seven studies (total 354 participants analysed) that effectively compared floss vs interdental brushes, all of which were of low quality. For any good oral hygiene regime, it is integral to use both interdental brushes and dental floss. Can cut gums – If used aggressively the wire construction can cut or aggravate the gums. This translated to a whopping 52% reduction in gum disease. This is because dental plaque tends to harbour in these areas. Dental floss is effectively a bit of string that you use to slot between your teeth and clean the dental plaque. As gum disease is mainly caused by dental plaque, we can safely assume that interdental brushes clean better than dental floss. It comes in many different styles and varieties. Interdental Brushes Pros – Floss vs Interdental Brushes Interdental brushes are easier to use than floss – interdental brushes are less technique sensitive providing you choose the right size of Interdental brush They are used more often – Because interdental brushes … Interdental cleaning is fundamental to your oral hygiene but which is better floss vs interdental brushes. They are much easier to use and less fiddly. You may need a selection of differently sized brushes and floss, depending on your mouth – everyone is different! But there’s more to know about flossing than just the fact that you should do it. Your email address will not be published. Interdental brushes can fit underneath the orthodontic wire. It is really dependent on the size of the gap between teeth. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Cochrane performed a review of the research comparing floss vs interdental brushes. I often bend the wire slightly to make it easier to access the teeth (See picture below). This is because the toothbrush bristles cannot physically access between teeth. It is the bacteria within dental plaque that causes tooth decay and gum disease. Brushes `` floss regularly '' is good advice that any dentist will give the recommendation to.... Can be picked up for very little money using the right products your! And i believe healthy teeth are the foundation to a happy, fulfilled life simply does not fray and... Give you the best camera for dental photography 2019 Alexander Teckkam | 7! 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