Flossing is an important part of a good daily oral hygiene routine, but there are alternatives out there if you can’t get on with flossing or you would prefer to try different cleaning techniques.

We recommend flossing because it cleans areas of the mouth that can be missed when you brush; with a brush head, it’s very tricky to target the cracks between the teeth, for example, and this means that these areas become hot-spots for bacteria, which increases the risk of plaque formation.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to get the hang of flossing, as it can be fiddly; thankfully, there is an effective alternative out there.

About inter-dental brushing

Inter-dental brushing is a technique, which cleans the areas between the teeth. This technique involves using very small hand-held brushes and targeting the tiny gaps between the teeth. You simply guide the brush into the gap and then gently clean, removing any bacteria and food debris.

There are different sizes of inter-dental brush available and your dentist or dental hygienist can show you how to use them and explain how they could be of benefit to you.

Inter-dental brushing is often easier to manage than flossing and you can simply tag it onto the end of your normal brushing regime.

If you have any queries about oral hygiene techniques or you would like advice about how to achieve a deeper, more effective clean, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist next time you come in or give us a call!