Cleaning between your teeth with proximal and interdental brushes

Proximal brush

• The proximal brush is used to clean between the teeth and remove debris and plaque that cannot be usually removed using the normal toothbrush. Though it can be used in all areas of the mouth, it is particularly effective in cleaning between the back teeth.
• It must be used as part of your normal oral hygiene routine along with your normal toothbrush.  Clean between your teeth at least once a day using the proximal toothbrush
• It consists of two parts – the handle similar to the one of a standard toothbrush to hold a small brush head securely, and the brush head.  The brush heads come in various suitable sizes and colours.  More than one brush head will have to be used in order to effectively clean the spaces between the teeth.

Using a proximal brush

• Select a suitable sized brush head and lock it in place in the handle
• Change the brush heads as required to clean the spaces in the mouth, especially at the back of the mouth. Follow the instructions given by your dentist or hygienist on how and which to choose.
• While brushing, never force the brush between the teeth; simply change the brush head in such a case to a more suitable one.
• Remove the brush periodically to remove plaque and debris
• Rinsie the brush and brush again

TePe Proximal™ Brushes – A popular brand of proximal brushes in the market.  Some of its unique features include

• User-friendly handle with an easy and secure lock making it very patient-friendly
• Ergonomic designed handle
• Comes in colour codes for easy identification of brush head size

• A push down snap-in lock for easy and secure brush changing
• Rounded head which is more gentle to the gum
• Plastic coated metal wire for best comfort

Interdental brushes

• A small brush that can be held between your thumb and your fingers
• Used to clean the areas between the teeth that cannot be reached by the normal toothbrush.  This is facilitated by its small bristles and tiny bottle type head
• They are available in various suitable sizes, which enables you to choose which size is most suitable for you. More than one size will have to be used in order to effectively clean the spaces between the teeth.
• It must be used as part of your normal oral hygiene routine along with your normal toothbrush or at any other time and anywhere.  Use it at least once in a day
• Change the brush once it is worn out

How to use an interdental brush

• Select a suitable sized interdental brush
• Between front teeth, use a finer brush
• Using a twisting movement ease the brush comfortably between the teeth Remove the Brush by pulling gently, removing any plaque and debris in the process.
• Repeat the twisting motion and brushing process until you feel that the space is clean. Use a larger headed brush for larger spaces nearer the back of the mouth
• Make the cleaning process more effective by shaping the head into a "banana" curve as this will help to easily locate and clean the space.
• Rinse the brush before brushing again.
• While brushing, never force the brush between the teeth; simply change the brush head in such a case to a more suitable one.

TePe Interdental Brushes - A popular brand of interdental brushes in the market.  Some of its unique features include

• Ability to clean between the teeth, around bridges, fixed appliances and dental implant abutments
• Ergonomic handle offering comfortable grip and good cleaning control
• Plastic-covered metal wire to make sure the stem does not scratch tooth surfaces or implant posts.
• Brush and handle in one piece.
• Eight colour-coded sizes make identification easy.