interdental brushes-before or after brushing?

hotcookie101

I have been advised to be use interdental brushes, as I am starting to get very slight gum recession. I have used them before, and I get very frustrated as the gap is so small, but I bought the 0.4mm tepe brushes and they seem to fit ok. So-do I do it before or after brushing? I can see pros of both them....

Toothsmith

Probably brush -> interdent -> final quick brush.

hotcookie101

Thanks

What is your view on mouthwash? (If I use it I use Dentyl as I don't like the drying effects of alcohol ones, but I have read conflicting views as to whether you should use mouthwash/rinse mouth thoroughly-as it removes the toothpaste?)

Toothsmith

hotcookie101 wrote: »

Thanks

What is your view on mouthwash?

I generally recommend that it's not necessary.

doodoot

Toothsmith wrote: »

I gerally recommend that it's not necessary.

Why is that?

My hygienist is always telling me to use the brushes instead of floss because they are better.

I have to say that I've noticed a definite reduction in puffy gums and bleeding since using them.

Bronnie

doodoot wrote: »

Why is that?

My hygienist is always telling me to use the brushes instead of floss because they are better.

I have to say that I've noticed a definite reduction in puffy gums and bleeding since using them.

I think TS is referring to mouthwash in his last post.


I do struggle with the interdental brushes must admit. I have a couple of larger spaces at the back where I use them fine, but mostly my teeth are quite even and close together. Where I have to use the very small ones, I find the brushes bend and sometimes break really quickly. Don't mind buying them to do the job, but they're not cheap, so find it very exasperating when this happens.


I also really struggle therefore to understand this advice from the NHS Livewell website

"You can use interdental brushes instead of flossing, especially if your teeth are very close together and you find it difficult to manoeuvre dental floss through the gap."

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth/Pages/Teethcleaningguide.aspx#commentCountLink

Am I doing something wrong? If it's a bit of an effort to wigggle dental floss between some of my teeth, how can I possible fit even the smallest interdental brush in, disregarding the bending/breaking issue?

PS Have a regular scale and polish and am trying to be really diligent with cleaning, so it's not a build-up problem!!

Toothsmith

Bronnie wrote: »

I think TS is referring to mouthwash in his last post.


I do struggle with the interdental brushes must admit. I have a couple of larger spaces at the back where I use them fine, but mostly my teeth are quite even and close together. Where I have to use the very small ones, I find the brushes bend and sometimes break really quickly. Don't mind buying them to do the job, but they're not cheap, so find it very exasperating when this happens.


I also really struggle therefore to understand this advice from the NHS Livewell website

"You can use interdental brushes instead of flossing, especially if your teeth are very close together and you find it difficult to manoeuvre dental floss through the gap."

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth/Pages/Teethcleaningguide.aspx#commentCountLink

Am I doing something wrong? If it's a bit of an effort to wigggle dental floss between some of my teeth, how can I possible fit even the smallest interdental brush in, disregarding the bending/breaking issue?

PS Have a regular scale and polish and am trying to be really diligent with cleaning, so it's not a build-up problem!!

That's right - I meant the mouthwash, not the brushing!

Mechanical cleaning is the only way to get the teeth clean. Chemical rinses add very little to the process, and do only wash the toothpaste away which would be better left against the teeth for a bit longer.

There are a vast range of interdental aids. Different handle types, different sizes, different angulations.

Probably the best way to find out which ones are best for you is to actually have an appointment with a hygienist just for her/him to go over tooth cleaning and to size you up for the correct ones for you. It would be well worth the investment in the long term.

Bronnie

Toothsmith wrote: »

Probably the best way to find out which ones are best for you is to actually have an appointment with a hygienist just for her/him to go over tooth cleaning and to size you up for the correct ones for you. It would be well worth the investment in the long term.

I did do this with the hygienist and it was she that introduced me to the new regime a year or two ago! She did use quite small brushes on me, but at home I just used to find they bent and distorted, maybe my technique is wrong. I just use 0.7 ones on a couple of gaps in back teeth and stick to flossing, now. She is quite happy with things, although there is of course always room for improvement .

Will mention it again next time. Picking her brains kind of helps in justifying the cost, as does asking for a free toothpaste sample to use for my holidays

jenniewb

Toothsmith wrote: »

That's right - I meant the mouthwash, not the brushing!

Mechanical cleaning is the only way to get the teeth clean. Chemical rinses add very little to the process, and do only wash the toothpaste away which would be better left against the teeth for a bit longer.

There are a vast range of interdental aids. Different handle types, different sizes, different angulations.

Probably the best way to find out which ones are best for you is to actually have an appointment with a hygienist just for her/him to go over tooth cleaning and to size you up for the correct ones for you. It would be well worth the investment in the long term.

Can I clarify something about mouth wash then?

I always used/use it before brushing to neutralise my mouth as I eat a LOT of fruit and drink diet drinks and know they are acidic. I was always under the impression that brushing immediatly after eating is a bit harmful because any acid left on teeth can be ground in a bit more when brushing.

Does mouth wash not help with this? Is it really not that purposeful? I take mouth wash out with me (because of the fruit thing) and after eating a meal sometimes rinse just because I worry about then sticking in some chewing gum and that having a similar effect to brushing.

Toothsmith

A fluoride mouthwash taken immediately after an acidic fruity attack might help a little - but your mouth will have neutralized the acid within about 20 mins anyway - so if it's longer than that, then it's probably pretty useless.

Any mouthwash containing alcohol will also be acidic.

Saliva is probably a better neutraliser than any mouthwash, and the chewing gum stimulates saliva. So chewing gum after an acid attack is probably the better thing to do.