Interdental brushes are the most effective tools for cleaning between teeth, especially for patients with spaces or periodontal disease. Share your knowledge with your patients and allow them to try different interdental brush options available. Patients are more likely to use the brush daily if they can choose the brushes themselves.
TePe offers a wide range of interdental brushes, all of which carry the ADA seal of approval.
This article highlights the importance of interdental brushes for maintaining oral health, provides practical tips for dental professionals and share everything worth knowing about TePe’s interdental brushes.
Interdental brushes play a key role in daily oral hygiene care Maintaining good oral health is crucial for preventing periodontal diseases and ensuring overall well-being. Among the various tools available for mechanical plaque removal, interdental brushes have emerged as the most effective for cleaning between teeth and improving gingival health.
This article highlights the importance of adding interdental brushes to the daily oral hygiene routine, based on insights from two comprehensive studies: “Sälzer 2021, Contemporary practices for mechanical oral hygiene to prevent periodontal disease” and “Slot 2020, Mechanical plaque removal of periodontal maintenance patients”.
Read more, and you will also be presented the range of TePe’s interdental brushes, to facilitate a suitable brush for everyone.
The role of plaque control in periodontal health
Periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, are primarily caused by the accumulation of dental plaque. Periodontal disease most often starts between the teeth. Gingivitis, the initial stage of periodontal disease, is characterised by inflammation of the gums and can progress to chronic periodontitis if left untreated.
Controlling plaque effectively is essential for preventing these conditions and maintaining periodontal health.
Evidence-based recommendations for interdental brushes
Interdental brushes have been identified as the most effective tool for removing plaque between teeth and improving gingival health.
The systematic review and network meta-analysis conducted by Slot et al. (2020) emphasised the superiority of interdental brushes over other interdental cleaning devices, such as dental floss and toothpicks.
The study found that interdental brushes significantly reduced plaque and gingivitis, making them a fundamental part of the oral hygiene routine for periodontal maintenance patients.
Advantages of interdental brushes
- Superior plaque removal:
Interdental brushes are designed to reach areas between teeth that regular toothbrushes cannot access. Their bristles effectively remove plaque and food particles, reducing the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis. Numerous studies have shown its superiority over other interdental cleaning tools for decades.
- Ease of use:
Unlike dental floss, which requires a high degree of skill and motivation, interdental brushes are user-friendly and can be easily incorporated into the daily routine. Their ergonomic design allows for comfortable handling and efficient cleaning.
- Versatility:
Interdental brushes come in various sizes to accommodate different interdental spaces. This versatility ensures that patients can find the right brush size for their specific needs, enhancing the effectiveness of their oral hygiene routine. ISO has decided upon 9 sizes, ranging from size 0-8.
- Clinical evidence:
The review by Sälzer et al. (2021) highlighted the importance of evidence-based recommendations for oral hygiene practices. Interdental brushes have been consistently shown to improve gingival health and reduce plaque levels, making them a reliable choice for dental professionals.
- Prevention of periodontal diseases:
Regular use of interdental brushes can significantly reduce the risk of periodontal diseases. By effectively removing plaque and food particles from between teeth, interdental brushes help prevent the onset of gingivitis and its progression to periodontitis.
This preventive measure is crucial for maintaining long-term oral health and avoiding the complications associated with periodontal diseases.
- Patient compliance:
Interdental brushes are more likely to be used consistently by patients compared to other interdental cleaning tools. Their ease of use and effectiveness make them a preferred choice for many patients, leading to better compliance with oral hygiene recommendations. Dental professionals can further increase patient compliance by providing personalised advice, letting them try different textures/handles and demonstrating how to use the brushes correctly.
- Cost-effectiveness:
Interdental brushes are a cost-effective solution for maintaining oral health. They are relatively inexpensive and can be reused multiple times before needing replacement. This costeffectiveness, combined with their superior plaque removal capabilities, makes interdental brushes an excellent investment for patients seeking to improve their oral hygiene.
- Safety:
Interdental brushes are safe to use and have been shown to cause minimal trauma to the gums when used correctly. Unlike toothpicks, which can cause damage to the gums if used improperly, high-quality interdental brushes are designed to clean gently and effectively without causing harm.
Dental professionals can provide guidance on the correct technique to ensure safe and effective use.
TePe’s interdental brushes
Interdental brushes are the preferred interdental cleaning device to recommend for patients with spaces and periodontal disease. TePe, a leading company with oral health, offers a range of interdental brushes designed to fit different clinical situations and patient preferences. TePe’s range includes TePe Interdental Brush Original, TePe Interdental Brush Extra Soft and TePe Angle, each with unique features to cater to various needs.
TePe’s interdental brushes have many key features, such as:
- Optimal filament coverage of the wire and plastic-coated wire for safety and comfort
- Ergonomic handle for a stable grip and good control for the back-and-forth movements
- Flexible neck on the smaller sizes (ISO 0-3) to allow for increased durability and access to posterior teeth
- Thicker bendable wire on the larger sizes (ISO 4-7) allows for easy access between the back teeth
- Handle and cap are made with renewable materials (via the mass balance approach ISCC PLUS certified)
Nearly all products from TePe are produced in Malmö, Sweden. The production is powered by 100% renewable energy, and all handles for the TePe toothbrushes and interdental brushes are made with renewable or mass balanced materials.*
*TePe sources 100% raw materials for the toothbrush- and interdental brush handles, as well as the flosser, tongue cleaner, travel case, cap and extra grip, from either renewable raw materials or certified renewable raw materials via the mass balance approach, the latter independently certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certificate PLUS (ISCC PLUS).
TePe Angle & Extra Soft – Interdental Cleaning for Every Need
TePe Original Interdental Brush come in all nine ISO sizes (0-8). TePe Interdental Brush Extra Soft is available in six ISO sizes (1-6), and TePe Angle is available in six ISO sizes (0-5).
TePe Angle has an angled brush head for easier access, especially when cleaning between posterior teeth. For some patients, it is easier to clean from the buccal side using the pre-angled brush head. TePe Angle is also suitable for cleaning from the lingual/palatal side, as the posterior proximal spaces have wider lingual embrasures. The longer handle is easier for some patients to hold, making TePe Angle a great product for elderly or hospital care, as it is easier to clean between someone else’s teeth with a longer handle.
TePe Angle & Extra Soft – Interdental Cleaning for Every Need
TePe Interdental Brush Extra Soft (ISO size 1-6) is designed for gentle cleaning. It is suitable, for example, in patients with sensitive teeth, implants installed in tissue with less keratinised mucosa, sore gingiva, dry mouth, or those who prefer a softer range.
The colours are the same as the original, but paler
Practical tips for dental professionals
- Patient education: Dental professionals should educate patients about the benefits of interdental brushes and demonstrate their proper use in their mouths. Providing hands-on training will help patients feel more confident in using these tools into their daily routines.
- Personalised recommendations: Tailoring oral hygiene advice to each patient’s needs is essential. Trying different filament textures, assessing the size of interdental spaces and recommending the appropriate brush size, can enhance the usage and effectiveness of plaque removal.
- Regular monitoring: Periodic check-ups allow dental professionals to monitor patients’ oral hygiene practices and make necessary adjustments. Encouraging patients to use interdental brushes consistently can lead to long-term improvements in periodontal health.
Concluding reflections
Letting interdental brushes be a natural part of the daily oral hygiene routine is crucial for maintaining a healthy mouth and preventing periodontal diseases. The evidence from the studies by Sälzer et al. (2021) and Slot et al. (2020) underscores the effectiveness of interdental brushes in reducing plaque and improving gingival health. Dental professionals are instrumental in inspiring patients and championing the use of these tools, guiding them towards optimal oral health outcomes.
By prioritising interdental brushes and providing personalised recommendations, dental professionals can help patients maintain a healthy mouth and prevent the progression of periodontal diseases. The integration of interdental brushes into daily oral hygiene routines is a simple yet powerful step towards achieving long-term oral health.
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About The Author:
Michaela von Geijer
Doctor of Dental Surgery
Dr von Geijer works part-time at a private dental office in Swe
den and TePe HQ in Malmö, Sweden. She has long clinical experience and is particularly interested in prevention and oral health. She has always placed a high value on working with preventive care.
Dr von Geijer has held temporary preclinical positions as amanuensis at the University of Lund, including basic research and assistance with education/training at the medical and dental schools.
She also has experience lecturing to professionals when employed by pharmaceutical companies and companies within the dental industry.
Since 2015 Dr von Geijer has been employed by TePe and a lecturer at universities worldwide.
References
Sälzer, S., Graetz, C., Dörfer, C. E., Slot, D. E., & Van der Weijden, F. A. (2021).
Contemporary practices for mechanical oral hygiene to prevent periodontal disease.
Periodontology 2000.
Slot, D. E., Valkenburg, C., & Van der Weijden, G. A. (2020). Mechanical plaque removal of
periodontal maintenance patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Journal
of Clinical Periodontology.