Which interdental brush is best?
Not the most expensive — the one you will also use tomorrow.
The best brush is the one you will also use tomorrow. And the day after. And every day after that. Not using any brush is the worst choice.
Why are you doing this?
Gum inflammation almost always starts between the teeth — where your toothbrush cannot reach. Bacteria in plaque cause irritation and the gums start to bleed. That is the first sign.
Gum inflammation can be reversed. Just like a small cut on your finger, gum tissue heals when you give it the chance. Cleaning between your teeth every day is enough to heal bleeding gums.
That is what matters. Not the perfect tool. The result: healthy gums.
What works well for most people?
GUM medium interdental brush
Small bristle brush on a flexible handle. Easy to use, available at any pharmacy. Fits most spaces between the teeth.
Stim-U-Dent wooden pick
Wooden pick — moisten it briefly on your tongue first so the wood becomes soft and flexible. Reduces the risk of damaging the gums.
There may be other and perhaps better products. But what matters most is that you can work comfortably with it — because that is the only thing that counts.
Good is good enough
Scientists show that small cylindrical brushes (TePe, Curaprox) remove more plaque than simple GUM brushes. That is true.
But in practice: for those small brushes you often need two or three different sizes — one space is narrower than another. That requires motivation and patience.
A simple brush that you use every day gives an excellent result. Experience shows that you can effectively fight gum inflammation even with a simple brush.
Not the best brush, but the brush you use every day, works best.
Want to go further?
If you are motivated and want to progress, small cylindrical brushes (TePe, Curaprox) are well worth trying. Start with the smallest size and work from there.
Ask your dental hygienist or dentist to help you get started and recommend the easiest brush for you.
Remember
You use a brush or pick not for the technique, but for your gums. If your gums bleed less and feel calmer — you are doing it right. Regardless of which product you use.
Scientific sources
- Chapple ILC, et al. (2015). Primary prevention of periodontitis: managing gingivitis. J Clin Periodontol, 42(Suppl 16):S71-S76.
- Worthington HV, et al. (2019). Home use of interdental cleaning devices. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, (4):CD012018.
- Sunstar GUM Professional (2021). Interdental Cleaning: Extremely Important, but Still Underestimated.
- Ng E, Lim LP. (2019). An overview of different interdental cleaning aids. Dental Journal (Basel), 7(2):56.
mijngebit.info is not a medical device. If in doubt, consult your dentist.