How to Use Interdental Brushes for Great Oral Health (2025)

July 20, 2018
4:29 pm
Dental Care, Dental Products
Dental Health, Toothbrush
Parkcrest Dental Group

Interdental cleaning is a fancy way of saying “between teeth” cleaning, which is a very important part of your dental health. Interdental cleaning can mean using floss, an oral irrigator, or an interdental brush. Whatever tool you use, it is important to clean between teeth and in crevices where plaque and bad bacteria form. In today’s blog, the experts at Parkcrest Dental Group will discuss the use of interdental brushes for overall oral health. Read on to learn more!

Related Post: Parkcrest Dental Group: Which Flossing Tool is Right for You?

What is an Interdental Brush?

Interdental brushes are used to remove plaque and bad bacteria between teeth and in the crevices of teeth as part of a daily dental care routine. Interdental brushes serve a similar purpose as dental floss but are easier to use for most people, especially those people with special dental features such as orthodontics. The experts at Parkcrest Dental Group recommend careful cleaning between teeth for the best oral hygiene, and interdental brushes are a great solution!

The interdental brush is a small pointy toothbrush, similar to a toothpick with short bristles on all sides. They come in different sizes and shapes but are usually 1 to 2 millimeters wide and shaped like a narrow cone. They are inexpensive and easy to use, so they make a great addition to your daily dental care routine.

How Can Interdental Brushes Help Improve Dental Health?

The American Dental Association recommends daily cleaning between teeth to remove plaque, food debris and bad bacteria. Flossing is the most commonly recommended way of accomplishing this goal, but interdental brushes can be easier to use as a part of a daily routine, and therefore more effective for many people. Interdental brushes are a great way to encourage thorough daily dental cleaning, even when flossing is too difficult, and therefore are an important part of everyday dental health.

When are Interdental Brushes Recommended?

Interdental brushes are great for anyone who has difficulty using floss as a part of their daily dental routine. Everyone should clean between their teeth every day, so if you are skipping this step because flossing is a pain, interdental brushes are a great alternative.

Interdental brushes are specifically recommended for people who have orthodontics, such as braces, because getting into all the nooks and crannies with floss can be difficult or impossible. Having braces makes it even more important to clean between teeth, so interdental brushes are a great solution. Interdental brushes are also great for people who have dental features such as crowns, bridges or dental implants, making it possible to thoroughly clean and protect vulnerable areas of the mouth from plaque and bacteria.

Parkcrest Dental Group Quick Tip: Interdental brushes are not recommended for children who are still learning proper dental care techniques. Interdental brushes can damage gums if they are not used carefully, so consult your pediatric dentist before your child begins using interdental brushes.

Your Dental Health is Important at Parkcrest Dental Group

At Parkcrest Dental Group, the everyday health and wellness of our patients are our number one priority. We want you to have everything you need to have a healthy and beautiful smile. We are here to help you, with useful advice and online resources, as well as excellent and industry-leading comprehensive dental care. Contact Parkcrest Dental Group today to discover how we can help make your smile great!

Meet Some Dentists in Springfield, MO

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top right) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (center left) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (center right) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom left) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

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