Not only does cleaning between your teeth help your mouth to feel clean and fresh, but it can also brighten your smile by making your teeth look whiter too!
Using an interdental brush or floss can clean the tight spaces between your teeth and gums that your toothbrush can't reach. This helps to remove plaque and bits of food that may otherwise remain in your mouth and lead to tooth decay or gum disease.
We recommend that you clean between your teeth at least once a day, either in the morning or the evening.
It's completely up to you! Some dental professionals recommend cleaning between your teeth before you brush, to dislodge particles of food and get rid of plaque. Others suggest doing this after brushing, so anything left can be removed. Rinse your mouth with water or mouth rinse after cleaning between your teeth to get rid of any debris you may have dislodged.
Dental floss is a soft thread, usually made of plastic or nylon that can be used to clean between your teeth. It comes in different widths and flavours so you can pick a variety that suits you. Take a look at our easy-to-follow guide to learn the best way to floss between your teeth.
These are tiny brushes that come in different widths to fit the size of the gaps between your teeth. They should be used gently, and many people find them easier to handle than floss.
These devices use compressed air to push micro-droplets of water in between teeth. The combination of the air and water help to remove plaque, and is a great way to clean between teeth for those who wear dental braces.
If you suffer from sensitive or bleeding gums, you may be tempted to skip brushing or cleaning between your teeth for fear of making this worse. However, regularly cleaning between your teeth can actually improve your gum health, and with perseverance and the correct technique, any bleeding should subside.
If bleeding continues after a week or so of regular daily flossing or brushing, you should speak to your dental team.