Interdental Brushes: How to Choose the Right Size and Use Them

By New Dental Center, Al Ain, UAE · Teeth Cleaning

Cleaning between your teeth is essential for healthy gums, and interdental brushes are one of the most effective tools for the job. Many people find them easier and faster than floss, especially if they have larger gaps, braces, bridges or implants. Here is how to choose and use them.

Why Interdental Brushes Work Well

The small, bristled head fits between teeth and scrubs the sides of each tooth and the gumline. Studies show interdental brushes can be more effective than floss at removing plaque in spaces where they fit, particularly for people with some gum recession or wider gaps.

Choosing the Right Size

Interdental brushes come in different sizes, usually colour coded. The right size fits snugly without forcing and fills the space so the bristles touch both teeth. Many people need two or three sizes for different areas of the mouth. Your hygienist can measure your gaps and recommend sizes.

How to Use Them

Hold the brush between your thumb and finger and gently insert it between the teeth at the gumline. Move it back and forth a few times. Do not force it; if it does not fit, use a smaller size. For back teeth, a slight bend in the neck or an angled brush can help.

How Often

Use interdental brushes once a day, ideally before brushing at night so fluoride toothpaste can reach the cleaned areas.

Bleeding at First

Mild bleeding is common when you start, especially if gums are inflamed. With daily use, bleeding usually reduces within one to two weeks.

Caring for Your Brushes

Rinse after each use and let them dry. Replace them when the bristles become flattened or the wire bends, often after about a week of use.

For Braces, Bridges and Implants

Interdental brushes are excellent for cleaning around brackets, under bridges and around implants. Use plastic-coated wire brushes around implants.

When Floss Is Better

For very tight contacts where even the smallest brush will not fit, floss may still be needed. Many people use a combination.

Building the Habit

Keep brushes next to your toothbrush and make them part of your evening routine. Within a few weeks, it becomes second nature.

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake is forcing a brush that is too large into a tight space, which can bend the wire, hurt the gum and discourage people from continuing. Another is choosing a brush that is too small, which slides through without touching the tooth surfaces and leaves plaque behind. Some people only clean the front teeth and skip the back, where gum disease often starts. Using two or three sizes and following the same route around the mouth each evening avoids these problems.

Interdental Brushes and Gum Recession

As gums recede with age or after gum disease, the spaces between teeth often become larger, especially near the gumline. These spaces trap food and plaque that floss struggles to remove because it cannot fill the gap. Interdental brushes are ideal here, as their bristles reach into the concave surfaces of the roots. Using them daily can reduce bleeding and help stabilise gum health, which is why hygienists often recommend them for patients with recession.

Frequently Asked Questions