Interdental Brush Materials
Handle: The handle of an interdental brush is usually made of plastic or a combination of plastic and rubber. Plastic handles provide a lightweight and comfortable grip, while rubberized handles offer enhanced control and maneuverability during use.
Bristles: The bristles of interdental brushes are commonly made of nylon or Tynex. These materials are known for their flexibility, resilience, and resistance to wear. The bristles can be designed in different shapes, such as cylindrical or conical, to accommodate various interdental spaces.
Wire Core: Many interdental brushes feature a wire core that provides stability and flexibility to the brush head. The wire core is typically made of stainless steel, ensuring durability and resistance to corrosion.
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Floss Materials
Nylon Floss: Nylon floss is the most common type of dental floss. It is composed of multiple strands of nylon filaments twisted together to form a strong and resilient thread. Nylon floss is available in various thicknesses and flavors to cater to different user preferences.
PTFE Floss: PTFE floss, also known as “glide” floss, is made of expanded PTFE material. This type of floss is known for its smooth and glide-like texture, making it easier to slide between tight interdental spaces. PTFE floss is generally more expensive than nylon floss but provides enhanced comfort during flossing.
Multifilament Floss: Multifilament floss is composed of multiple strands of nylon or silk twisted together. This type of floss is designed to fray upon use, which helps to increase the surface area and improve its cleaning effectiveness. Multifilament floss is available in various thicknesses and textures.
Interdental brushes come in nine sizes, which might seem overwhelming at first.
We recommend asking your dental professional to help you or to find your most suitable size yourself using a variety pack, which comes with 8 of the 9 sizes. You want the wire to pass through the space between the teeth without hitting either tooth, and you should feel some resistance from the bristles. Do not force the brush into a space; work it in gently or choose a smaller size.
Interdental brushes are small brushes specially designed to clean between your teeth, where a regular toothbrush does not reach. The wire holding the bristles is plastic coated and is safe to use around dental implants and natural teeth. The handle is short and broad for a steady grip.
Start with a small brush size if you are uncertain and change to a bigger one if you don’t feel any resistance from the bristles.you need more than one brush size, because the spaces between your teeth differ throughout your mouth. If you have some spaces between your that are tight and even the smallest brush can’t fit, use floss in that space.
Some examples of where to use an interdental brush could include between two natural teeth, around orthodontic appliances, under bridges, next to implants, and much more.
Choosing the right interdental brushes
Interdental brushes are user-friendly and widely available. They’re a good topic of discussion because chances are, your patients have no idea what to choose and they look to you for guidance. Some key features to look for when choosing an interdental brush are the size of the brush, the softness of the bristles, its geometry (straight or angled), and reusability.
Interdental brushes come in various sizes to suit different dental structures. They’re designed for people with braces and dental bridges and those with wider embrasures, while thin brushes are available for regular interdental cleaning. Metal wires in the middle of interdental brushes might be a little harsh for people with sensitive root surfaces. Rubber brushes are more recent developments emerging as viable alternatives to conventional brushes. These are as effective as metal brushes and offer greater compliance and acceptance among people in terms of comfort. And the goal, of course, is compliance.
It’s also important to choose an interdental brush based on its alignment to achieve better cleaning. Straight brushes provide access to hard-to-reach interdental cavities, while angled brushes facilitate precision and proper cleaning of frontal interdental spaces. For a deep-clean, waist-shaped brush heads are a good choice as they remove more biofilm than straight brushes, which results in minimal plaque deposit. Apart from this, conical and triangular brush heads are also recommended to clean molar cavities.
Because interdental brushes are small, the bristles are susceptible to wear and tear, resulting in sharp edges that might damage gums. On the earth-friendly side, many companies offer interdental brushes with detachable heads to minimize plastic waste, and this is more cost-effective for the consumer in the long run.
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We have previously provided advice on how best to keep your teeth clean using a toothbrush but it’s important you also clean the hard to see or reach parts of your teeth as well. Cleaning between your teeth and on your gumline is essential to ensuring you have removed all plaque and food particles. To clean these areas, we use flossing or interdental brushing as a regular toothbrush unfortunately cannot reach them.
Interdental brushes have small bristled heads designed to get between your teeth. They come in different widths to suit the sizes of the gaps, you can buy them from your dental practice, pharmacies and in the supermarket. If you are unable to get out, then you can always use the CTS website to buy supplies directly.
Another option is dental floss and is recommended for use where the gaps in your teeth maybe too hard to clean with an interdental brush. Individuals may also have a personal preference on using one or the other or a mixture of the two. Research does show that interdental brushes provide better plaque removal than floss.
From the age of 12, as well as brushing twice daily, we recommend that you should clean between your teeth at least once a day, ensuring you keep a regular pattern so that you don’t miss any areas. Sometimes, looking in a mirror can help to ensure that you reach the gaps in every tooth. For children under the age of 12, they may need help with flossing safely and this can start as soon as they will let you do this.
Work your way around the gaps between each tooth in an orderly way so that you don’t miss any of the spaces. When you first start using interdental brushes, your gums may bleed, they may also be tender as you start to remove any plaque build-up. Bleeding is a sign that the gums are not healthy, but this is completely normal if you have not cleaned in between your teeth in this way before. If you can carry on using the brushes, bleeding should reduce as your gums become healthier.
If your gums are still bleeding after a few days, seek advice from your dentist as you may be using the interdental brushes incorrectly.
When the floss reaches your gumline, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth until you feel resistance. Hold the floss against the tooth, gently stroking the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum. Repeat on the other side of the gap, along the side of the next tooth.
When flossing, it’s always best to keep to a regular pattern. Start at the top and work from left to right, then move to the bottom and again work from the left to right. This way you're less likely to miss any teeth.
If you find flossing very tricky or don’t have nimble fingers then you may find the floss holders are useful and easier, although they are not as thorough as normal floss.
Similarly, to when you first use interdental brushes, when you first floss your gums may be tender and bleed a little, but this is all completely normal in moderation. Carry on flossing and your gums should become healthier after a few days and stop bleeding. If your gums are still regularly bleeding after a few days, contact your dental team and they can check if you’re flossing correctly.
Good dental health begins with you, by following these tips on how to brush in-between your teeth, and following our guide on how to brush your teeth properly, you can keep your mouth clean and healthy, reducing plaque build-up and gum disease. For any other questions at all, contact your local practice on and we’ll be happy to help.