The toothbrush is not enough. For thoroughly cleaning the mouth and the surface of the teeth, it is recommended by professionals to complete the brushing with the landscape of the dental wire or interdental brushes.
A more targeted effect to dislodge residues
Brushing your teeth twice a day remains essential, but this does not eliminate all food residues and dental plaque. This is why dentists recommend associating the use of dental thread and/or interdental brushes with brushing.
As explained to us recently Dr. Jérémy Amzalag, dental surgeon (www.capitaldents.com):
“The dental thread, will be useful in particular on the front teeth, where the spaces are a little tighter, to clean the points of contact well. It is in these spaces that potentially, food is stuck”. An even more effective gesture if it is supplemented by the passage of interdental brushes on the teeth on the side and the bottom, less accessible. “”The brushes will better marry these less accessible spaces ” he confirms.
For perfect cleaning, it is also possible to use dental wire and brushes, in addition to brushing.
Brushes wrongly accused of attacking the gum
But in a recent video by Tiktok, Dr Kévin, a young dentist, responds to an interrogation often heard in the office: the use of too pronounced brushes would create spaces between the teeth. Can an overly aggressive passage cause such inconvenience?
In reality, it is quite the opposite. Passing these brushes “treats” the gums, which then gradually deflates. When these spaces between the teeth are not cleaned, bacteria are housed and produce inflammation in the gums, responsible for a small swelling of the gums and bleeding.
“The gums being therefore swollen, they occupy a larger volume in the spaces between the teeth. Passing the brushes will allow these bacteria to be disturbed, and therefore reducing inflammation. Consequently, the gums will slightly deflate, which will give the impression that there is more space than before” Assures Dr. Amzalag.
Dr. Kévin also adds that in the event of periodontitis, the bone is attacked and nibbled. Once the gum, neat, deflates, it is not the gum that retracts, but the bone that has been lost. Space can therefore seem larger too.
Contrary to popular belief, interdental brushes do not weaken the gums: they maintain them. By eliminating bacteria, they prevent inflammation and participate in better oral health.