Cleaning Between Your Teeth Matters: Floss, Interdental Brushes, and Finding What Works for You
We all know brushing twice a day is essential, but here’s a fact that might surprise you: brushing only cleans about 60% of the tooth surface. The other 40%—the tight little spaces between your teeth—often get overlooked. That’s where cleaning between teeth becomes so important.
Floss and interdental brushes are two of the most common tools designed for cleaning between teeth. They each work differently, and each has unique benefits. The good news? You don’t always have to choose one over the other. The best option is whichever fits comfortably into your daily routine and keeps your smile healthy.
Why Cleaning Between Teeth Matters More Than You Think
Plaque, that sticky film of bacteria, loves to hide in hard-to-reach places. If it’s not removed, it can irritate the gums, cause bad breath, and lead to gum disease or cavities. Brushing alone can’t reach every nook and cranny, which is why cleaning between teeth daily is just as essential as brushing itself.
Not only does this simple habit protect your teeth, but it also supports gum health, keeps your breath fresher, and contributes to your overall wellbeing.
Dental Floss: The Classic Tool for Tight Gaps
Dental floss has been around for generations, and for good reason. It’s a thin thread—waxed, unwaxed, or flat dental tape—that’s designed to slide between teeth and scrape away plaque.
Benefits of dental floss
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Ideal for tight contacts: If your teeth are close together, floss is often the only option for cleaning between teeth effectively.
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Portable and inexpensive: A small pack of floss slips easily into a pocket or bag, making it convenient for use anywhere.
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Variety of options: From traditional floss to dental tape or super floss for braces and bridges, there’s a type for nearly every need.
👉 You can find dental floss options in the Tooth Buddy shop — to see which feels most comfortable.
Things to keep in mind
Flossing takes practice, and many people don’t use the right technique at first. Snapping the floss down can hurt the gums, while not curving it enough around the tooth may leave plaque behind. With the right method, though, flossing can be a highly effective way of cleaning between teeth.
Interdental Brushes: Easy, Effective, and Gentle
Interdental brushes look like tiny bottle brushes, with a wire core and soft bristles. They come in different colour-coded sizes to fit various gaps between teeth. For many adults, especially those with slightly wider spaces or gum recession, interdental brushes are easier to use than floss.
Benefits of interdental brushes
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Highly effective: Research shows that interdental brushes often remove more plaque than floss, especially when there’s space between teeth.
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User-friendly: They’re easier to handle and require less technique than flossing.
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Perfect for dental work: If you have braces, implants, or bridges, interdental brushes make cleaning between teeth far more straightforward.
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Reusable: Unlike floss, you can use the same brush for a few days before replacing it.
👉 Not sure which size to get? Check out the interdental brushes available in the Tooth Buddy shop — colour-coded and easy to use, with options for different gaps.
Things to keep in mind
They may not slide into very tight contacts. You might also need different brush sizes for different gaps, but once you know your sizes, cleaning between teeth becomes quick and simple.
Floss or Interdental Brushes? Why You Don’t Have to Choose
Here’s the secret: you don’t have to pick just one. Many people use a combination—floss for tight front teeth, interdental brushes for the larger gaps and back teeth.
The key is consistency. Cleaning between teeth once in a while won’t cut it. Daily care keeps plaque away and prevents gum inflammation from setting in. Whether you’re a “floss person” or a “brush person,” what matters most is making it a regular part of your oral health routine.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Between Teeth Properly
How to floss properly
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Break off about 45 cm of floss and wrap most around your middle fingers.
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Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
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Gently slide it between two teeth, curving it into a “C” shape around the side of one tooth.
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Glide it up and down, just under the gumline.
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Repeat on the neighbouring tooth, then move to the next space.
How to use interdental brushes
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Choose the right size (your dentist or hygienist can guide you).
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Insert the brush gently between your teeth—don’t force it.
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Move it back and forth a few times to clean both tooth surfaces.
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Rinse and reuse until the bristles start to bend.
FAQs About Cleaning Between Teeth
“My gums bleed when I floss or brush between teeth—should I stop?”
No! Bleeding is often a sign of gum inflammation from plaque. With regular cleaning between teeth, the bleeding usually improves within 1–2 weeks. If it doesn’t, check in with your dentist.
“Do I really need to do this every day?”
Yes. Plaque forms constantly, and once it hardens into tartar, only a professional cleaning can remove it. A minute or two each day saves you from more complicated treatment later.
“What if I just use mouthwash instead?”
Mouthwash can help with freshness, but it doesn’t physically remove plaque. Cleaning between teeth with floss or brushes is the only way to properly reach those areas.
“Do I need special brushes if I have braces or implants?”
Yes — and the good news is you can find special interdental brushes for braces and implants in the Tooth Buddy shop to make the job easier.
The Bottom Line: Make Cleaning Between Teeth a Daily Habit
Brushing alone isn’t enough. Cleaning between teeth is just as important, and both dental floss and interdental brushes play a role.
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Floss is best for tight spaces where brushes won’t fit.
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Interdental brushes are easier for most people and especially useful if you have gaps, gum recession, or dental work.
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Combination use often gives the best results.
Whichever tool you choose, the most important thing is to use it every day. Your teeth, gums, and breath will thank you.
✅ Key takeaway: Cleaning between teeth matters. Floss, interdental brushes, or both—find what works for you, stick with it, and make it part of your daily routine for a healthier, fresher smile.
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