Which interdental brush is the best?

How to choose the right tool — and why consistency is everything.

The best interdental brush is the one you will use again tomorrow. And the day after. And every day thereafter. Not using any brush is the worst choice of all.

Why do you do it in the first place?

Gum inflammation almost always starts between the teeth — where your toothbrush cannot reach. Bacteria in plaque cause irritation and the gum starts to bleed. That is the first sign.[1]

Gum inflammation can be reversed. Just like a cut on your finger, gum tissue heals if you give it the chance. Cleaning gently between the teeth every day is enough to heal bleeding gums.[2]

That is the point. Not the perfect instrument. The result: healthy gums.

Gum inflammation does not have to lead to gum disease. There is a way back. And that way starts with daily cleaning between the teeth.

What do we recommend?

For most people, there are two products that work well and are easy to use:

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GUM interdental brush

Small bristle brush on a flexible handle. Easy to use. Available at any chemist or pharmacy.

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Stim-U-Dent wooden pick

Wooden pick. Moisten it on your tongue first — the wood will soften and become flexible.

There may well be other and perhaps better products. But above all: you need to be comfortable using it. That is the only thing that counts.[3]

Why the Stim-U-Dent?
The pick is made of a wood type that becomes soft and flexible when moistened on your tongue. This makes it easier to get between the teeth and less likely to damage the gums.

Good enough is good enough

Scientists say that a small tapered interdental brush — in the right size — removes more plaque than a simple GUM brush.[4] That is true.

But in practice, tapered brushes often require two or three different sizes because different spaces have different widths. That demands a lot of motivation and patience.

A simple brush you use every day gives good results. Experience shows that gum inflammation can be effectively tackled even with a simple brush.

Not the best brush, but the brush you use every day, works best.[5]

What about tapered interdental brushes?

If you are well motivated and want to go further, tapered interdental brushes are certainly worth trying. TePe, Curaprox and other brands make them in various sizes.[6]

You start with the smallest size and work upward. In spaces where there is enough room, you can then try a slightly larger size.

For people undergoing or having recently completed periodontal treatment, this is essentially the standard approach. They receive thorough instruction and guidance. The results are usually excellent.

In many cases you do not need extensive periodontal treatment if you maintain your teeth well yourself: brushing electrically twice a day and using interdental brushes once a day. Ask your dental hygienist or dentist to help you get started.

The best tip

Choose the product you will use tomorrow and the day after — every day. It should be a brush or pick that is easy for you to use. One for the whole mouth, not three different ones for different areas.

You use an interdental brush or pick not for the technique, but for your gums. If the gums bleed less and feel calmer, you are doing it right — regardless of which product you use.

Have a question?

Your dental hygienist or dentist is happy to help — whether it's about the right brush size, pain during use or any other questions.

Scientific references
  1. Chapple ILC, Van der Weijden F, Doerfer C, et al. (2015). Primary prevention of periodontitis: managing gingivitis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 42(Suppl 16):S71–S76.
  2. Löe H, Theilade E, Jensen SB. (1965). Experimental gingivitis in man. Journal of Periodontology, 36(3):177–187. Classic experiment showing that mechanical plaque removal can eliminate gingivitis, in most cases within two weeks.
  3. Sunstar GUM Professional (2020). Helping Patients Adopt Interdental Cleaning. EFP 2020 guidelines: "Patient acceptance is crucial for sustained long-term use."
  4. Slot DE, Dörfer CE, Van der Weijden GA. (2008). The efficacy of interdental brushes on plaque and parameters of periodontal inflammation. Int J Dent Hyg, 6(4):253–264.
  5. Wilson MG, et al. (1998). How patient compliance to suggested oral hygiene and maintenance affect periodontal therapy. Journal of Periodontology, 69(6):668–675. Consistent use of simple tools correlates more strongly with healthy gums.
  6. Poklepovic T, Worthington HV, Johnson TM, et al. (2013). Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, (12):CD009857.
  7. Sunstar GUM Professional (2021). Interdental Cleaning, Extremely Important, but Still Underestimated. "Individual assessment and tailored advice from a dental professional significantly improves patient compliance."

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