Interdental cleaning
Interdental cleaning removes plaque and food debris from the spaces between adjacent teeth using floss, interdental brushes, or other tools.
Dental floss: A thin strand used to remove plaque and debris from between teeth and beneath the gumline. Floss passes through tight contacts where a brush may not fit.
Dental plaque: A structured community of microorganisms that forms on tooth surfaces and along the gumline. Interdental tools aim to disrupt plaque where a toothbrush may not reach.
Periodontium: The tissues that support and surround teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. Interdental cleaning protects plaque-prone margins of the tooth-supporting tissues.
Toothbrushing: The mechanical cleaning of tooth surfaces with a toothbrush, usually using toothpaste. Brushing cleans broad tooth surfaces but may miss tight spaces between teeth.
Interdental brush: A small brush designed to clean between teeth, available in sizes for different gap widths. Its bristles clean wider spaces that floss may not fill effectively.
Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums, commonly caused by plaque accumulation at the gumline. Plaque between teeth can contribute to inflammation of neighboring gum tissue.
Interdental papilla: The portion of gum tissue that fills the space between adjacent teeth. Its shape determines how much space remains for cleaning tools.
Oral hygiene: Practices that maintain cleanliness and health of the teeth, gums, tongue, and other oral tissues. Interdental cleaning is one part of a broader daily hygiene routine.
Water flosser: A powered device that directs a pulsing stream of water between teeth and along the gumline. It offers an alternative for cleaning around braces or when manual tools are difficult to use.
Gingival sulcus: The shallow space between a tooth and the surrounding gum tissue. Careful flossing can clean plaque near this margin without injuring the gum.