Interdental cleaning

Interdental cleaning or interproximal cleaning is part of oral hygiene 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 in areas a toothbrush cannot reach. The ultimate goal of interproximal cleaning is to prevent the development of interproximal caries and periodontal disease. 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. Dental 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 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.