Interdental cleaning: what is it?
What it is, why it matters and which tool suits you.
On this page:
- → What interdental cleaning is
- → Why a toothbrush falls short
- → The three tools: interdental brush, pick, floss
- → When you cannot get through — tartar or tight spaces
What is it?
Interdental cleaning means cleaning the spaces between your teeth — the interdental spaces. A toothbrush — even an electric one — cannot get its bristles into those narrow gaps. The plaque that builds up there is barely removed by normal brushing.
Nearly half left uncleaned. About 40% of the tooth surface lies between the teeth. Without interdental cleaning, you leave nearly half of your mouth untouched.
Why does it matter?
Gum inflammation (gingivitis) and tooth decay most often start in the interdental spaces. Bacterial plaque accumulates there and irritates the gum tissue. The result: bleeding gums when you brush or use an interdental brush — the very signal mijngebit.info is designed to track.
Daily interdental cleaning is the most direct way to break that cycle.
The three tools
There are three commonly used tools. Choosing one is enough — using it daily is the goal.
Interdental brush
A small cylindrical or conical brush on a handle. For most people, the most effective option. Available in different sizes — the right size slides through easily without forcing or bending.
Toothpick / dental pick
A thin pointed stick (wood or plastic). A good alternative for people who find a brush too large or uncomfortable. Works best in slightly wider spaces, particularly in the upper front.
Dental floss
A thin thread that you pull through the space between the teeth. Suitable for very small spaces where a brush or pick does not fit, and for people with a bridge, crown or implant. Requires slightly more technique than a brush, but is equally effective when used correctly.
When you cannot get through
Some people find that neither a brush nor a pick gets through in the lower front — the teeth are too close together, tartar is blocking the way, or both. Floss can also fail when the space is truly closed off.
Do not try to force it — you can damage your gums.
Contact your dentist or dental hygienist. They can remove the tartar and show you personally which method works best for your teeth.
Scientific sources
- Sunstar GUM (2025). If you don't clean between your teeth, you miss up to 40% of tooth surfaces.
- Slot DE, et al. (2008). The efficacy of interdental brushes on plaque and periodontal inflammation. Int J Dental Hygiene, 6(4):253-264.
- Worthington HV, et al. (2019). Home use of interdental cleaning devices. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, (4):CD012018.
mijngebit.info is not a medical device. If in doubt, consult your dentist.