Daily cleaning of your interdental spaces is just as important as brushing your teeth twice a day. Brushing alone can only clean about 60% of your tooth surfaces, leaving the spaces between your teeth vulnerable to plaque and bacteria buildup.

Daily cleaning of interdental spaces is necessary because it:

• Prevents plaque and tartar buildup: Your toothbrush can’t reach everywhere, and food particles can easily get lodged between teeth. If left uncleaned, these particles can turn into plaque, a sticky film that harbors bacteria. Over time, plaque hardens into calculus, also known as tartar, which is much more difficult to remove and can irritate your gums.
• Reduces gum disease and cavities: Bacteria in plaque and tartar irritate the gums, leading to gingivitis (inflammation) and potentially progressing to periodontitis (severe gum disease) if left untreated. These conditions can damage the soft tissue and bone supporting your teeth, and even lead to tooth loss. Also, plaque bacteria can produce acids that eat away at tooth enamel, causing cavities.

By cleaning between your teeth daily, you remove plaque and food debris before it can cause problems. This helps prevent gum disease, cavities, and keeps your breath fresh.

There are several tools you can use to clean between your teeth:

• Dental floss: This is a thin thread that you can weave between your teeth to remove plaque and debris. There are different types of floss available, such as waxed, unwaxed, and flavored.
• Interdental brushes: These small brushes can be used to clean between teeth that are too tight for floss. They come in different sizes to fit different spaces.
• Water flossers: These devices use a pressurized stream of water to remove plaque and debris between teeth. They are a good option for people who have difficulty using floss or interdental brushes.

Talk to your dentist about which tool is right for you and how to use it properly.