This page is for people who do not yet use interdental cleaning tools — things like interdental brushes, wooden sticks, or floss that are used to clean between the teeth.
Do I even need this?
It depends. Not everyone does.
Children with baby teeth: usually not necessary[1,2]. Good brushing alone is often enough to keep gums healthy and inflammation-free[3]. Baby teeth often have little space between them[4].
Teenagers and young adults: usually not necessary either[2]. If you brush well and your gums are healthy, brushing alone is often sufficient.
Adults: especially if your gums bleed or are irritated, interdental cleaning can make a real difference[5].
Why the difference?
For children and young people, a good brushing technique usually does the job. For adults with inflamed gums, cleaning between the teeth can make the difference between healthy and unhealthy gums.
What should I choose: interdental brushes, wooden sticks, or floss?
Interdental brushes and wooden sticks are easiest to learn. Floss also works well but takes more practice[6].
Examples of interdental brushes: GUM medium interdental brushes. They fit easily between the teeth — small and flexible[7].
Stim-u-dent wooden sticks: moisten them first in your mouth to soften the wood[8]. This greatly reduces the risk of damaging your gums.
Choosing the right size: Start with the smallest size you can find[9] — but not too thin, as very thin brushes bend easily and stop working[10]. Don't buy brushes or sticks that are too thick.
Tip for interdental brushes and sticks: Hold the brush or stick between your thumb and index finger, resting the other fingers on your chin or cheek[11]. This gives you support and reduces the chance of accidentally poking your gums.
Important: An imperfect brush that you actually use works 10 times better than the perfect brush that stays in the drawer[12].
Research shows that people stick with tools they find easy to use — and that's the most important thing[13,14].
What about floss?
Floss is especially useful when there is very little space between the teeth[15].
Important when flossing: Don't snap the floss straight down between the teeth against your gums — that can cause damage[17].
Instead: gently guide the floss to the contact point between the teeth, then slide it down along the side of the tooth with a gentle back-and-forth motion[18].
Tip: Got a stubborn food particle stuck between your teeth? Tie a small knot in the floss — it picks up debris more effectively.
For flossing more than for interdental brushes, it's especially worth asking your dentist or dental hygienist for personalised guidance.
How do I start?
Slowly and gently. Be kind to yourself.
If your gums are irritated and you clean too aggressively, it will hurt. And pain makes people stop.
So take it easy. A little each day. Very gently in the difficult spots.
What to expect?
After about a week of gentle daily practice in a difficult area, you'll find it gets easier. Bleeding and irritation will have reduced noticeably[19,20].
After two weeks of daily use, the gums are usually much calmer and barely bleed at all[19,20].
This happens because inflamed gum tissue can heal — just like a cut on your finger. That heals in about a week too. Your gums work the same way.
Why does this work?
When your gums are inflamed from food debris and bacteria between the teeth, they need time to recover.
By gently cleaning between your teeth every day, you give your gums the chance to heal. The first few days there may still be some bleeding. That's normal — it's a sign there was inflammation.
After a week, the inflammation has already decreased significantly. After two weeks, the gums are often calm and healthy again[21].
Important rule
When in doubt: always ask your own dentist.
Your dentist is the only person who knows exactly which cleaning method suits you best. Everyone is different. What works for one person may not work for another[22].
Summary:
Interdental brushes and wooden sticks are easier than floss
Start with the smallest size (but not too thin)
Be gentle and take your time
Give yourself time: one to two weeks
When in doubt: ask your dentist
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Scientific references
Biesbrock AR, et al. (2025). Does interdental cleaning prevent caries in children and adolescents? Oralprophylaxe & Kinderzahnmedizin, 47(2). doi: 10.1007/s44190-025-1093-2
KIMO (Kwaliteitsinstituut voor de Mondzorg). Richtlijn mondzorg voor jeugdigen. The guideline advises for young people primarily: brushing instruction and behaviour change, systematic fluoride use, dietary advice. Interdental cleaning is considered an optional, situation-dependent supplement.
KNMT (Koninklijke Nederlandse Maatschappij tot bevordering der Tandheelkunde). Praktische modules Jeugd. Focus on basic prevention, simplicity and feasibility in self-care. Interdental tools are not routinely recommended.
Chen YW, et al. (2017). Prevalence of primate and interdental spaces for primary dentition in 3- to 6-year-old children in Taiwan. Journal of Dental Sciences, 12(4):390-396. doi: 10.1016/j.jds.2017.07.001
Marchesan JT, et al. (2018). Interdental cleaning is associated with decreased oral disease prevalence. Journal of Dental Research, 97(7):773-778. doi: 10.1177/0022034518759915
Carrillo VG. (2024). Floss more in 2024. UT Health San Antonio Educational Resources. "The c-shape flossing technique takes time to learn and build on like any new skill."
Ng E, Lim LP. (2019). An overview of different interdental cleaning aids and their effectiveness. Dental Journal (Basel), 7(2):56. doi: 10.3390/dj7020056
Stim-U-Dent Product Instructions. Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. Official instructions: "Moisten thoroughly in mouth to soften wood."
TePe Interdental Brush Instructions. (2025). "Start with the smallest size and work your way up until you feel the brush bristles engage the tooth surface."
Piksters Usage Guide. (2024). "Choose a size that inserts without force. The correct size will fit easily. Insert the brush SLOWLY with a gentle twisting or wriggling action – this will ease the brush in so that the wire does not buckle."
TePe Oral Health Care. (2022). "Hold the interdental brush between your thumb and index finger, and make sure to prop it up with the middle finger to support your in-and-out movement." Eoperio Clinical Guide: "Hold it between your thumb and index finger, while resting the remaining fingers on the chin."
Sunstar GUM Professional. (2021). Interdental Cleaning, Extremely Important, but Still Underestimated. Professional Education Series.
Sunstar GUM Professional. (2020). Interdental Cleaning Compliance: Leverage the Evidence on Ease of Use. Professional Education Series.
Wilson MG, et al. (1998). How patient compliance to suggested oral hygiene and maintenance affect periodontal therapy. Journal of Periodontology, 69(6):668-675. doi: 10.1902/jop.1998.69.6.668
Thalmair T, et al. (2020). Evidence-based strategies for interdental cleaning: a practical decision tree and review of the literature. Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice, 20(3):101473. doi: 10.1016/j.jebdp.2020.101473
Carrillo VG. (2024). Flossing is a simple step toward big health benefits. UT Health San Antonio.
Ross S. (2024). Flossing 101: How To Floss the Right Way. Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. "Don't jam or force the floss into your gums. Be gentle. Popping the floss between the teeth may cause trauma to the gums."
American Dental Hygienists' Association. Proper Flossing Technique Guidelines. "Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion. Contour floss around the side of the tooth, making a C shape."
Löe H, Theilade E, Jensen SB. (1965). Experimental gingivitis in man. Journal of Periodontology, 36(3):177-187.
Axelsson P, Lindhe J. (1981). The significance of maintenance care in the treatment of periodontal disease. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 8(4):281-294.
Smith PC, et al. (2015). Gingival wound healing: An essential response disturbed by aging? Periodontology 2000, 68(1):83-103. doi: 10.1111/prd.12080
Sanz M, et al. (2020). Treatment of stage I–III periodontitis — The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 47(Suppl 22):4-60.