Interdental cleaning or interproximal cleaning is part of

oral hygiene Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one's mouth clean and free of disease and other problems (e.g. bad breath) by regular brushing of the teeth (dental hygiene) and cleaning between the teeth. It is important that oral hygiene be carried ou ...

where the aim is to clean the areas in between the teeth, otherwise known as the proximal surfaces of teeth. This is to remove the

dental plaque Dental plaque is a biofilm of microorganisms (mostly bacteria, but also fungi) that grows on surfaces within the mouth. It is a sticky colorless deposit at first, but when it forms tartar, it is often brown or pale yellow. It is commonly found be ...

in areas a toothbrush cannot reach. The ultimate goal of interproximal cleaning is to prevent the development of interproximal

caries Tooth decay, also known as cavities or caries, is the breakdown of teeth due to acids produced by bacteria. The cavities may be a number of different colors from yellow to black. Symptoms may include pain and difficulty with eating. Complicati ...

and

periodontal disease Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums become swollen and red and may bleed. It is considered the main caus ...

. The combined use of tooth brushing, and mechanical and manual interdental cleaning devices has been proven to reduce the prevalence of caries and periodontal diseases.

Floss

Floss is one of the most commonly used interdental cleaners. It is traditionally made of waxed nylon wrapped up in a plastic box. Since dental floss is able to remove some inter-proximal plaque, frequent regular dental flossing will reduce inter-proximal caries and periodontal disease risks. Results of a high level of evidence meta-analysis recently found that floss may not be the most effective method for interdental cleaning, contrary to common belief at the time. Especially for individuals lacking dexterity or compliance, waterjet irrigators and interdental brushes were found to be significantly more effective than flossing.

Interdental brush

Interdental brushes commonly consist of a central metal wire core with soft nylon filaments twisted around and are available in various sizes to correspond to different spaces between teeth. Certain factors such as material, geometry and size of the brush can be chosen to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness: * Material: metal wire may be sensitive to certain patients thereby rubber might be preferred. * Geometry: Straight interdental brushes are considered more effective compared to angled interproximal plaque removal. * Size: This varies depending on the space between individual teeth. Failure to use an appropriate size may account for the lack of efficiency of interdental cleaning aid.

Oral irrigator

Oral Irrigators (also called water flossers) are common mechanical tools used for interdental cleaning. It uses a combination of pulsation and pressure facilitated by water or air to remove debris and bacteria both above and below the gums. When used with tooth brushing, the use of oral irrigators reduces inflammation of the gums (

gingivitis Gingivitis is a non-destructive disease that causes inflammation of the gums. The most common form of gingivitis, and the most common form of periodontal disease overall, is in response to bacterial biofilms (also called plaque) that is attac ...

) by removing loosely adherent plaque. It is also beneficial for

implant Implant can refer to: Medicine * Implant (medicine), or specifically: **Brain implant **Breast implant ** Buttock implant **Cochlear implant **Contraceptive implant **Dental implant ** Fetal tissue implant ** Implantable cardioverter-defibrillato ...

maintenance as there is less bleeding around implants when oral irrigators are used compared to dental floss.

Toothpick

Toothpicks are thin sticks made from various materials that insert into interdental space for cleaning. Although there is a long history of use dating back to 1.8 million years ago, dentists generally recommend against their use due to a perceived danger of causing mechanical damage to gum, enamel, and tooth roots.

References

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