Interdental Cleaning
· Interdental cleaning refers to cleaning between the teeth.
· Decay usually starts on the chewing surfaces of teeth and at the contact point between the teeth.
· Plaque and food particles stick to the teeth in these areas.
· The bacteria in plaque are able to convert these food particles into acids.
o It is the major cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
o You need to be aware of the fact that plaque is being formed continuously.
o Plaque formation and growth cannot be stopped.It can only be controlled by regular daily brushing, flossing and the use of other dental aids.This must be accompanied by a six monthly dental scaling and polishing of the teeth.
· There are two essential daily routines that will prevent decay and gum disease. They are to brush your teeth and clean between your teeth, at least twice a day.
· Tooth brushing is necessary, but it cannot reach between the teeth.
· Cleaning between the teeth is made possible by the use of the following:
o Dental floss
o Interdental brushes
o Single tuft toothbrushes
o Dental sticks
o Rubber tip stimulators
o Irrigation devices.
· Why it is important to use dental floss.
o Dental floss is the best way to clean the tooth surfaces between the teeth.
o Different types of floss are available, such as regular floss, dental tape and super floss.
o Floss is also available on a plastic holder, in the shape of a bow. It forms "the string of the bow" and it makes flossing very manageable.
· Here are a few tips for flossing as demonstrated below:
o Use a 12-15inch (30-40cm) length of floss.
o Wrap the floss around your middle fingers.
o Hold the floss between the thumb and forefinger of each hand.
o Leave about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
o The floss must be taut when it is used.
o Gently guide the floss across the contact point between the teeth.
o When the floss is in position between the teeth, rub it up and down a few times against each tooth surface, one after the other.
o This is then repeated for all the teeth in the mouth.
o Be careful not to cut your gums with the floss.
o A sharp downward thrust of the floss will damage the gum and make it bleed.
o Your dentist will be happy to show you how to floss, and choose which floss is best for you.
o The floss holders shown above are easy to use, if you have difficulty using the conventional floss
o These are triangular shaped small brushes, like little bottlebrushes.
o They are very useful for cleaning between the teeth.
o They fit onto a plastic handle, and are available in varying sizes.
o Select the size of brush that is best suited to you.
o Gently push the brush back and forth into the spaces between the teeth.
o This interdental brush is best suited to teeth that have spaces between them, caused by gum recession.
o Some degree of gum recession is seen in most mouths by middle age, and in those with gum disease, at any age.
o These are toothbrushes with only one tuft of bristles.
o They are used where the normal, multi-tufted toothbrushes cannot reach.
o These brushes are designed for brushing around crowns, bridges, displaced and rotated teeth.
· Interdental picks or sticks
o These are specially designed soft wooden wedges for cleaning between teeth. They can be used after meals or at any time.
o The end of the stick should be moistened and softened in the mouth before us.
o Gently insert the stick between the teeth, with the flat edge facing the gum.
o Then move it in and out gently to clean the teeth and massage the gums.
o Food trapped between the teeth can be removed with these sticks.
o They are effective for mouths where receding gums have left spaces between teeth.
o The sticks should only be used where there is sufficient space to allow the free movement of the stick between the teeth. Do not force them into position.
o They should not be used if they cause any bleeding.
o They are not suitable for children.
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· Interdental rubber tip stimulators
o These are pointed rubber tips that are fitted to a toothbrush handle.
o They are used to stimulate and toughen up the triangular soft gum between teeth.
o Your dentist or periodontist will tell you if you need them
· Pulsating water or medicament spraying devices
o Irrigating devices provide a steady or pulsating stream of water under pressure through a nozzle. They are especially useful in mouths with fixed bridges, and for cleaning between teeth.
o They should not be used as a substitute for toothbrushing.
o Ask your dentist before you buy one
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