Brushing alone cleans about two-thirds of the tooth surface. The last third sits between the teeth – and that's exactly where most problems start.
Why the spaces in particular?
A toothbrush reaches the outer, inner and chewing surfaces well. But where two neighbouring teeth touch, the bristles have no chance at all. A protected niche forms, where plaque sits undisturbed.
The consequences are predictable: decay between the teeth is often only discovered late, because you can't see it from the outside. And gum inflammation almost always starts at the junction between two teeth. Left unchecked, it can turn into periodontitis – the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.
Interdental brush or floss?
For most people, an interdental brush is the better choice, wherever it fits. It cleans a larger area, is easier to handle, and as a result gets used more regularly in practice.
Floss remains useful where teeth sit very close together and no brush fits through – often in the front teeth. Combining the two is often the most sensible approach: brush at the back, floss at the front.
The right size is crucial
Interdental brushes come in many sizes, and the gaps vary in width even within the same mouth. A brush that's too small doesn't clean, one that's too large injures the gum. It's worth having the right sizes determined once at the practice – we do this as part of professional cleaning and give you the sizes in writing.
How to do it
- Insert the brush into the gap without force – it should feel slight resistance, but never jam.
- Move it back and forth two to three times. Don't twist it and don't yank it.
- Move on to the next gap. A fixed sequence helps here too, so none get skipped.
- With floss: guide the strand gently along the tooth down under the gum line, curving it in a C-shape around the tooth – don't let it snap in with force.
Once a day is enough. Evening is best, because less saliva flows overnight and that's when plaque does the most damage. Whether before or after brushing is secondary – the main thing is that it happens at all.
"It's bleeding – should I stop?"
That's the most common question on this topic, and the answer is: no, quite the opposite.
Bleeding gums aren't a sign you were too rough – they're a sign of inflammation. Healthy gums don't bleed when cleaned properly. Avoiding the spot only makes the problem worse.
As a rule, bleeding noticeably decreases after about a week of consistent cleaning. If it persists or bleeds extensively, you should get it checked – there may be more behind it than surface-level inflammation.
In short: once a day, evening is best. Interdental brushes where possible, floss where it's too tight. Have the size determined at the practice. Bleeding is a reason to keep going, not to stop.