DENTAL HEALTH...INTERDENTAL BRUSHES

DENTAL HEALTH…INTERDENTAL BRUSHES

Dec 11, 2016 News

By Dr. Neromini Fagu
Our oral health is important. It can affect how we function on a daily basis. Any lack of care can cause discomfort and cost money later on. One of the ways in achieving optimal oral health is through the daily removal of dental plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance containing bacteria and food particles. It forms a film on our teeth. If plaque is allowed to build up, it may cause oral disease such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and dental caries.
It is not only important to clean the surfaces of the teeth, but also inbetween the teeth. The surface areas between the teeth are called interproximal or interdental surfaces. The bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach in between teeth, so flossing or interdental brushes may be used for the removal of interproximal plaque.
What are Interdental Brushes?
Interdental brushes are small brushes specially designed to clean the hard-to-reach spaces between teeth. There are many types of interdental brushes and the different designs may vary in brush head or handle. There are two main types of brush heads, I-shaped and L-shaped.
The I-shaped brushes are used to clean the front teeth and the L-shaped ones are better suited for the back teeth. There are also different sizes of brushes for the different widths of the interdental spaces.
The handles may be long or short, with long handles being great for home use while short handles are more convenient for carrying around. Some interdental brushes offer replacement brush head designs to accommodate replacement when the brush head is worn out.
Uses for Interdental Brushes
If there is a wide gap between neighbouring teeth, an interdental brush may be used instead of dental floss to clean the adjacent tooth surfaces.Insert the interdental brush into the gap between the teeth, placing the brush as close to the gum margin as possible, and move the brush back and forth to clean the adjacent tooth surfaces.
The brushes are also great for cleaning around bridges and implants. They are also effective for cleaning tooth surfaces with fixed orthodontic brackets. Both the teeth and the appliance should be cleaned in the morning and before bed at night every day, as well as after each meal. After brushing the teeth and the brackets, the interdental brush may be used to clean the area between the teeth and the brackets.
A special type of floss called super floss may also be used to help with plaque removal.
Choosing an Interdental Brush
When choosing an interdental brush it is recommended that:
· The interdental brush should provide a snug fit and should be easily inserted into the interdental space filling up the space with no strong resistance.
· If there are interdental spaces of different widths in the mouth, interdental brushes of different sizes should be used to clean the space.
· Don’t force an interdental brush into the interproximal spaceas it may cause damage to the gums.
· The interdental brush should be cleaned after every use.
· Worn or deformed bristles should be replaced with a new brush.
When you first begin to use interdental brushes, your gums may become tender and you may experience a little bleeding as the plaque buildup is being removed. You should not let this deter you as the bleeding should become reduced as the gums become healthier. However, if the bleeding doesn’t stop after a few days, you should visit your dentist.Your dentist can check to see if you’re using the interdental brushes correctly and to ensure you are using the right sizes.

For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.

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