Interdental brushes
If you have a little space between your teeth, these small brushes will be able to cope with the cleaning better. It is important to find a suitable size. The brush must clean the tooth well, but the metal wire must not rub against the surface of the tooth. The brush is used in between teeth and roots, in a forward-backward and possibly slightly rotating movement.
Between teeth Between implants At large gaps Between roots (Source: EKULF)
Dental floss
- Good for tight spaces.
- Remember that in each gap, there are two tooth surfaces that must be cleaned.
- It is available both with and without holder.
- Wide and thin with a wax coating is preferable due to ease
Superfloss dental floss
- For bridge, implant, bracket, large spaces and other difficult places
- Built-in plastic tip at one end and a thick padded piece in the middle, as well as normal thin dental floss.
- Brands: Ekulf, Oral-B, Curaprox, TePe.
Toothpicks
- Wooden toothpicks are optimal. They are only good for removing food residues.
- For cleaning the teeth, dental floss or interdental brushes are better.
- An alternative to wooden toothpicks are ‘soft picks’, i.e. the soft rubber toothpicks (look like small Christmas trees).
Water flushers
- Flushers are not that well known here at home. Has been on the market in the USA for over 40 years. Electric seems more efficient than the battery version. Read more here: Waterpik. The American Dental Association says that “water flossers” with The ADA Seal of Acceptance can remove plaque.
- It can get in between teeth, between roots, under braces and under bridges.
- It sprays food residues and bacteria away so that plaque, tartar, gingivitis and caries do not form.
- Must be used with your toothbrush and floss and/or interdental brush. Brush teeth 2x daily. Use water rinses before or after brushing. Use lukewarm water so that it does not freeze in the teeth. Held into spaces, between roots and behind the last teeth in the row. The water pulses out. It takes about 2 minutes. Remember to empty the water from the container so that it does not form bacteria.
- Good for periodontitis patients, especially after surgery. Read more here.
- Good for braces and braces patients.
- Good for patients with dry mouth or problems with arthritis, hand mobility and vision.
- Google search terms examples: mouthwash, oral irrigator, waterflosser, powerflosser, airfloss, Waterpik.
Where can you buy a water washer?
Google e.g. : Waterpik, Ekulf, Oral-B, Airfloss, mouthwash, oral irrigator, waterflosser, powerflosser.
Matas, for example: Rechargeable water flusher from Ekulf.
The electric giant, for example: Oral-B AquaCare mouthwash.