Wotton Dental & Implant Clinic
Wotton Dental & Implant Clinic

Interdental Cleaning

Q   Why is interdental cleaning so important?

 

A    Plaque and food particles can get trapped between your teeth and under the gum line. These can cause gum disease and tooth decay and are in areas a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing removes the plaque and food debris in these difficult areas.

 

Q   Why are my teeth so important?

  Your teeth vary in shape and size depending on their position within your mouth. These differences allow the teeth to do many different jobs. Teeth help us to chew and digest food. They help us to talk, and to pronounce different sounds clearly. Finally, teeth help to give our face its shape. A healthy smile can be a great asset and because this is so important, it makes sense to give your teeth the best care possible.

 

FLOSSING

 

Q   How should I clean between my teeth?

  One way to clean between your teeth is with dental floss or tape. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth and under the gumline, areas a toothbrush can’t reach. Your dentist or hygienist can show you proper flossing techniques.

The following suggestions may help:

 

Break off about 18 inches of floss, and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the other hand. As you use the floss, you will take up the used section with this finger.

 

• Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and forefingers, with about an inch of floss between them, leaving no slack. Use a gentle ‘rocking’ motion to guide the floss between your teeth. Do not jerk the floss or snap the floss into the gums.

 

• When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth until you feel resistance.

 

• Hold the floss against the tooth. Gently scrape 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.

 

• Don’t forget the back of your last tooth.

• When flossing, 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.

It is also very important to clean around the edges of any crowns, bridges or implants. This can be difficult to do effectively using traditional floss and there are now specialist flosses to do the job thoroughly (such as super floss and specialist floss threaders). Ask your dentist or hygienist on how to use these properly and which method you should use.

Q  Should my gums bleed when I floss?

A Your gums may bleed or be sore for the first five or six days that you floss. This should stop once the plaque is broken up and the bacteria has gone. If the bleeding does not stop, tell your dentist. It may be that you are not flossing correctly or your teeth and gums need a more thorough clean by your dentist or hygienist.

Q  What do I do if I have difficulty using floss?

A If you have trouble using floss you can use a floss holder or an interdental cleaning aid. Interdental cleaning aids include woodsticks or small interdental brushes used to remove plaque from between the teeth. Your dentist or hygienist can explain how to use these properly.

 

MINI FLOSSER

 

Q   What is a Miniflosser?

A   It is a pre-loaded dental floss holder that makes using dental floss a little easier. The strong, slim and flexible dental floss glides easily between the tight spaces between your teeth.

Q   Why do I need to clean between my teeth?

A   Plaque and food particles can get trapped between your teeth and under the gum line. These can cause gum disease and tooth decay and are in areas a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing removes the plaque and food debris in these difficult areas.

Q   Why use a Miniflosser?

A   Some people find it difficult to use normal floss. It is especially difficult for people who can’t grip properly.

Q   How do I use it?

A   Insert the Miniflosser in between two teeth and use the specially designed bite plane to gently bite down thus easing the floss into the space between the teeth. Once inserted use a gentle back and forth action to disrupt and remove the plaque. Remove by pulling the floss up away from the gum with a gentle sawing action. Rinse in clean water and repeat in the next space until all the spaces in between the teeth have been cleaned.

 

INTERDENTAL BRUSHING

 

Q   What is an interdental brush?

  It is a small brush that can be held between your thumb and your fingers. Interdental brushes are available in various sizes which enables you to choose which size is most suitable for you. You may need to use more than one size to enable you to effectively clean all spaces between your teeth.

Q   Why clean between teeth?

  Over the course of a day, food and debris get lodged in between your teeth, and in any gaps you may have. If left, this debris can cause dental decay and gum disease. Removing food debris and plaque with an interdental brush will help keep your breath fresh. Cleaning in between your teeth makes sure that you are cleaning your mouth as thoroughly as possible.

Q   Should I use an interdental brush instead of my normal toothbrush?

A   No. These small brushes should be used as part of your normal oral hygiene routine to be effective.

Q   Why is my normal toothbrush not enough?

A   You will know that there are certain places in your mouth that are difficult to reach with your normal brush. There are also some gaps between your teeth that your toothbrush will not be able to access.

Q   How can the interdental brush help?

  With its small filaments and tiny bottle type head, the brush can be moved between the teeth to remove debris and plaque that will not have been removed by your usual toothbrush. They are available in two textures, original and Soft giving an effective option for even the most sensitive gums and teeth.

Q   How do I use it?
 
A   Select a suitable sized interdental brush. Never force the brush between the teeth. Between front teeth, use a finer brush, turning slightly to ease the brush comfortably between the teeth. Remove the brush by gently pulling thereby removing plaque and debris. Repeat the turning motion to re-insert and pull out several times until you are satisfied the space is clean. For larger spaces nearer the back of the mouth, a larger headed brush might be needed. To be as effective as possible, shape the head into a slight curve DO NOT bend at right angles. You will then be able to easily locate and clean the space effectively. Always rinse brush in clean water during and after use
 
Q   When should I use it?

A   You need to clean between all your teeth at least once a day.

 

PROXIMAL BRUSHING

 

Q   What is a Proximal brush?

  It is a device in two parts. One part is the handle that has been developed from a standard toothbrush so that it holds a small brush head securely. The brush heads are available in various sizes enabling you to choose which size is most suitable for you. These colours are exactly the same as those used in the interdental brush range.

Q   Will I need to use more than one size of brush head?

A   You may need to use more than one size to enable you to effectively clean all spaces between your teeth.

Q   Will I need to use this brush as well as the interdental brushes?

A   The proximal brush can be used in all areas of the mouth. However most people find that it is most useful for cleaning between the back teeth.

Q   Why clean between teeth?

  Over the course of a day, food and debris get lodged in between your teeth, and in any gaps you may have. If left, this debris can cause dental decay and gum disease.

Removing food debris with a proximal brush will help keep your breath fresh. Cleaning in between your teeth ensures that you are cleaning your mouth as thoroughly as possible.

Q   Should I use a proximal brush instead of my normal toothbrush?

A   No. This brush should be used as part of your normal oral hygiene routine to be effective.

Q   Why is my normal toothbrush not enough?

A   You will know that there are certain places in your mouth that are difficult to reach with your normal brush. There are also some gaps between your teeth that your toothbrush will not be able to access.

Q   How can the proximal brush help?

  With its small filaments and tiny head the brush can be moved between the teeth to remove debris and plaque that will not have been removed by your usual toothbrush, especially at the back of the mouth.

Q   How do I use it?

  Select a suitable sized brush head and lock it in place in the handle. You may need a variety of sizes for the spaces at the back of the mouth. Your dentist or hygienist will be able to guide you on which ones to select. Never force the brush between the teeth. Remove the brush gently removing plaque and debris. Always rinse the brush in clean water during and after use.

Q   When should I use it?

A   You need to clean between all your teeth once a day. 

Contact us:

 

01453 844428 

 

smile@wotdental.com

 

online contact form

Find us:

 

43-45 Long Street

Wotton under edge

Gloucestershire

GL12 7BX

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Copyright © 2020 Wotton Dental&Implant Clinic. Site last updated: January 2020