Interdental brush is the name given to a special dental hygiene instrument. It is used to clean the spaces between the teeth.
What is an interdental brush?
An interdental brush is understood to be a small brush for cleaning teeth. It is considered a valuable tool for eliminating bacteria and food debris. An interdental brush is understood to be a small brush for cleaning teeth. It is considered a valuable tool for removing bacteria and food debris. Since food debris gets particularly stuck in the interdental spaces, cleaning this region is considered important. However, conventional toothbrushes are not well suited for this purpose, as they cannot reach the sensitive areas. This applies primarily to the area of the back molars. Electric toothbrushes also struggle to reach the spaces between the teeth. For this reason, numerous dentists recommend the additional use of special interdental toothbrushes.
Shapes, types and types
Interdental brushes are significantly smaller than ordinary toothbrushes. They come in different varieties and have different handles. The most common is the so-called fir tree shape. It is called fir tree because of its shape. While the back side is wider, the front side is narrowed to a point. Other brush shapes include the bottle shape and the brush shape. In addition, a distinction must be made between interdental brushes that already have a handle and those in which the handle can be attached. The brushes that already have a handle are only used once and are then discarded. Generally, an interdental brush should not be used for longer than six weeks. The size and texture of the bristles can also vary. Furthermore, manufacturers are increasingly trying to take into account the individual needs of customers. Which type of interdental brush is ultimately best suited for the individual depends on the width of the interdental spaces. Thus, significant variations are possible for each person. Normally, the spaces between the teeth turn out to be very narrow. Therefore, interdental brushes that have a bottle shape are considered the most suitable for use.
Structure and operation
Composed an interdental toothbrush is a cylindrical brush head. This is quite short and bears resemblance to a small bottle cleaner. The brush head is located in a holder made of plastic. This holder is inserted into a handpiece. Alternatively, it can also be guided directly with the fingers. An interdental brush is used in addition to normal tooth brushing. During use, each individual interdental space is cleaned. Interdental brushes are also suitable for cleaning the posterior region due to their ergonomic shape and bent head. However, dentists advise that the special brush be inserted into the interdental spaces extremely carefully, otherwise there is a risk of the brush snapping off. In addition, the gums can be injured. It is best to gently pass the small brush back and forth once or twice. In the initial phase, users often suffer from bleeding gums. Thus, inflammation may still exist due to the bacteria in the oral cavity. However, if the interdental brush is used regularly, this problem is significantly reduced. After use, it is important to clean the interdental brush with water to eliminate the germs. For effective use, the interdental spaces of the user must be wide enough. However, if the teeth are very close together or interlocked, painless application of an interdental brush is extremely difficult. In case of repeated pain, the use of the instrument is discouraged and the use of dental floss alone is recommended. Cleaning of the interdental spaces should be done at least once a day, according to the advice of dentists. Multiple cleanings per day, on the other hand, are counterproductive because they can affect the dental papilla. To counteract bleeding, it is advisable to avoid brushing too aggressively and to gently brush only the corner sides of the teeth. The best time to use the interdental brush is the evening before going to bed.
Medical and health benefits
Many dentists consider the use of interdental brushes to be very beneficial for dental health. This allows plaque and stuck food debris to be removed more effectively. In addition, interdental toothbrushing is considered an important preventive measure against approximal caries (interdental caries). Areas of application also include gaps between teeth, exposed interdental spaces that are not covered by the gums, and the care of brackets and bridges. Compared to dental floss, interdental brushes are easier to use. Thus, the small brushes are equipped with a handle, which makes handling much easier. Especially for people who have problems using dental floss, an interdental brush is advantageous. However, there are also disadvantages. For example, the brushes cannot get under the gums because the width between the gum and the tooth is only one millimeter. If the user nevertheless attempts to penetrate the furrow with the head of the brush, this can result in inflammation of the gums or their recession. Exposure of the neck of the tooth, causing pain, is also possible. Furthermore, there is a risk of abrasion to the hard substance of the teeth due to incorrect use of the brush. As a result, the opposite effect occurs and more areas are formed, leading to approximal caries. Before using an interdental brush, the user should have its use well explained by a dentist. In this way, the experienced dental professional can identify which size is the right one for the application, which in turn prevents undesirable side effects.
