We welcome back Dr Dave Antunovic who is helping out. We also welcome Dr Betty Keng and Dr Alyssa Shelton who are also helping out. Good luck Albertene with your Orthodontics Interview! 

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Interdental Cleaning

Interdental cleaning

Interdental cleaning is the process of cleaning between your teeth to remove plaque, food particles, and bacteria that a toothbrush can't reach. It helps prevent cavities, gum disease and bad breath.

Common Methods of Interdental Cleaning

1. Dental Floss – Thin thread used to slide between teeth. Great for tight spaces.

2. Interdental Brushes – Small bristle brushes designed to fit between teeth, ideal for wider gaps.

3. Water Flossers – Devices that use a jet of water to remove debris and plaque between teeth.

4. Soft Picks – Rubber-tipped or silicone picks for gentle cleaning.

Why It’s Important

● Prevents gum disease (gingivitis & periodontitis)

● Reduces bad breath by removing trapped food

● Helps prevent cavities in hard-to-reach areas

● Improves overall oral health

Best Practices

● Floss once a day (preferably before brushing)

● Use the right tool based on your teeth spacing and gum sensitivity

● Be gentle to avoid gum damage

● Replace brushes/picks regularly for effectiveness

Here are some interdental cleaning recommendations based on different needs:

For Tight Spaces:

🔹 Glide Dental Floss (Oral-B, Reach, or Colgate Total) – Smooth, shred-resistant floss. We sell 'Oral B Essential floss' 

🔹 Waxed or PTFE Floss – Slides easily between tight teeth without breaking.

For Wider Gaps & Braces:

🔹 Interdental Brushes – Available in different sizes for various gaps. We sell 'DentalPro' interdental brushes. 

🔹 GUM Proxabrush – Ideal for cleaning around braces and larger spaces.

🔹 Soft-Picks by GUM – Flexible rubber tips that are gentle on gums.

🔹 Oral B Superfloss - great for under bridges 

For Sensitive Gums:

🔹 Silicone Soft Picks (TePe or GUM) – Non-abrasive, ideal for gentle cleaning.

🔹 Waterpik Water Flosser – Uses water pressure for a gentle, thorough clean.

For Maximum Convenience:

🔹 Waterpik Cordless Advanced – Great for travel & daily use.

🔹 Floss Picks (DenTek, Plackers, Grin) – Pre-threaded floss for easy handling.

🔹 Automatic Flossers (Philips Sonicare AirFloss) – Uses air & microdroplets of water.

Picture above: Kirsty is holding examples of traditional floss 'Oral B essential', 'Oral B super floss' and 'DentalPro interdental brushes' 

Picture above: Albertene is holding an example of a water-flosser we sell, the 'Colgate Blast''.