Interdental Brushes vs. Dental Floss: Which Is Better?

The prevalence of periodontal diseases and gingivitis affects almost 20 to 50 percent of the population. The high incidence of such illnesses among youth, adults, and older citizens makes it a public health concern.

As a consequence, people are becoming more conscious of their dental hygiene. This, in turn, has fueled the demand for interdental cleaning products, including interdental brushes and dental floss.

In this article, we’ll take a look at interdental cleaning products, particularly, interdental brushes and dental floss. We’ll zero in on their differences and advantages to help you decide which of the two is more effective at cleaning your teeth.

What Is the Difference Between Interdental Brushes and Dental Floss?

Brushing does not completely clean your teeth surfaces. Therefore, adding an interdental care routine can ensure that your teeth are free of plaque buildup and food debris.  

Interdental brushes help you clean the gaps in between your teeth. The bristles resemble a small mascara wand or a thinner toothbrush in appearance. Brushes come in various sizes and designs. There are also interdental brushes designed for people with orthodontic braces.

A dental floss is a 12 to 18-inch long thread. It is slid in the spaces between the gum and tooth or guided between teeth to extract bacteria, plaque, and food debris.

The use of either dental floss or an interdental brush is a personal choice. Both products contribute to reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. However, each has certain benefits that can influence your preference.

3 Top Advantages of Using Dental Floss

Regular flossing eliminates plaque that leads to cavities, tartar, gingivitis, and periodontal diseases. Here are more benefits of the hygienic practice:

1. Reduces tooth decay and prevents gum disease

Pairing your toothbrush routine with floss promotes healthy gums and teeth. It ensures the removal of plaque and bacteria that lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

2. Allows you to examine your teeth regularly

Dental flossing gives you the chance to examine your mouth for any swelling or redness. You can thus check if your mouth displays symptoms of certain illnesses.

3. Promotes good dental hygiene

Brushing your teeth in the middle of the day is not always convenient. Flossing can be an alternative though. Because of its small profile, a dental floss is lightweight, portable, and easy to store; it allows you to improve your dental hygiene on-the-go, whether you are at work or school.  

Despite these benefits, dental floss has its limitations. It can only be effective on flatter areas of the teeth. Also, frequent and vigorous flossing can result in gum irritation and swelling. Hence, other interdental cleaning products should be explored to maintain the cleanliness of teeth gaps.

4 Reasons Why You Should Use Interdental Brushes

A lot of people use floss to clean their teeth. Meanwhile, an interdental brush can be a simple yet convenient option. It can be used regularly and can be more advantageous to use than dental floss. 

Here are some more reasons why you should invest in using interdental brushes:

1. Interdental brushes lower interdental plaque scores compared to brushing alone.

The small brush head of this product can penetrate and clean teeth gaps making it more effective than brushing. Interdental brushes are also useful in preventing interproximal bleeding.

2. Interdental brushes are simple to use.

You can use interdental brushes with one hand. Just like a toothbrush, an interdental brush is reusable.

3. Everyone can use interdental brushes.

The market for interdental brushes is extensive. It includes the following:

• People with gaps between teeth – It can be challenging to floss if you have wide spaces in between your teeth. Interdental brushes are more effective in scraping plaque and food particles in this case.
• People with braces – Flossing is not possible for individuals with fixed braces since it can get caught between the bracket and archwire. However, with an interdental brush, it can clear plaque and food debris from between teeth and around the edges.
• People who don’t like floss – Believe it or not, many people dislike the habit of flossing. For some, the practice can be a challenge. Guiding the thread through tooth spaces may be difficult for some individuals. Interdental brushes, however, simplifies everything.

4. Interdental brushes promote thorough oral hygiene.

Aside from extracting food remains and plaque, interdental brushes also prevent cavities and bacteria. The brush head is built to allow easy access between spaces and grooves. What’s more, it accomplishes this while preventing gum injuries.

Use the Right Interdental Cleaner

Both interdental brushes and dental floss are undeniably beneficial to your oral health. However, each differs when it comes to convenience. 

Using an interdental brush is a good alternative if you don’t like flossing. The bottom line is that it is vital to practice interdental cleaning to prevent you from oral and dental diseases.

PRO-SYS offers you a variety of solutions. We have an array of interdental brushes in different sizes and shapes. We also have products designed for people with braces. Shop now at PRO-SYS!