Jun 05, 2024 - minute readminutes read

How to Choose Your Interdental Brush

Everyone’s oral health needs are different. However, we all need to clean between our teeth.

Choosing the interdental that’s right for you can help you remove more plaque and achieve better oral health.

Wearing braces, tight teeth, sensitive teeth…? You need an interdental which is suited to your specific needs. Choosing the right interdental tool from such a large range can be difficult. This page can help you figure out what features to look out for so you can find the best interdental for you.

Which interdental brush is right for me?

Cleaning between your teeth is important for your oral health. We recommend a combination of toothbrushing and interdental cleaning to remove as much plaque as possible. You can use a single interdental or a combination of interdental brushes, picks and floss. Rubber picks or dental picks are particularly easy to use, so a great option if you’re a beginner. The most important thing is to choose an interdental that is comfortable so that you clean every day! Check out our summary table below to help you choose the interdental that’s right for you.

Different Types of Interdental Brushes:

GUM® Soft-Picks®
These dental picks are designed to provide a comfortable and effective way to clean between teeth. They feature 76 soft rubber bristles, a wide grip, and a flex zone for increased mobility. Additionally, they come with a convenient on-the-go case. Ideal for maintaining oral hygiene with ease and comfort.

These single-use GUM® dental picks are available in a range of options: Soft-Picks® Original, Soft-Picks® Advanced, Soft-Picks® Advanced Tight, Soft-Picks® Comfort Flex Mint, and Soft-Picks® Wider Spaces.

GUM® Proxabrush® Go-Betweens® Interdental Brushes
These brushes are specifically tailored to fit different interdental spaces. They are designed for ease of use and effective removal of plaque and food particles from between teeth. With a variety of sizes available, you can choose a brush size that best fits your interdental spaces, ensuring a more personalized and effective cleaning experience.

This line of GUM® interdental brushes is available in a range that includes: Proxabrush® Go-Betweens® Cleaners, Proxabrush® Angle Cleaners, and Proxabrush® Go-Betweens® System with Refills.

Our GUM® Proxabrush® Go-Betweens® have antibacterial bristles that allow for more than one use. They should be rinsed after each use and replaced weekly. The Proxabrush® System is compatible with a range of replaceable heads.

We all have different size interdental spaces. Your dental professional can help you identify the best interdental brush size for you. The head should fit comfortably but snuggly between your teeth, that’s how you’ll remove the most plaque. Never force the interdental in; go down a size instead. Depending on your interdental spaces, you may need more than one size. All of our interdentals come in multiple sizes. GUM® SOFT-PICKS® dental picks exist in five sizes and easily slide in all interdental spaces. And the GUM® PROXABRUSH® interdental brushes are available in four different sizes.

GUM® Proxabrush® Go-Betweens® Interdental Cleaners brush sizes

If you have very tight teeth, removing plaque might be more of a challenge. Using soft rubber picks or floss is probably your best bet. GUM® SOFT-PICKS® ADVANCED feature super soft rubber bristles that easily and gently slide between all interdental spaces. Make sure you choose the smallest size available to fit your needs.

If you experience some pain or bleeding when cleaning between your teeth, you need to improve your oral care routine. Your mouth isn’t necessarily unhealthy, you just need to remove the plaque that is irritating your gums. Make sure you clean between your teeth daily with a gentle interdental tool. We recommend using GUM® SOFT-PICKS® ORIGINAL which are gentle and safe for sensitive gums. However, if the bleeding is heavy and/or persists you should consider making an appointment with your dental professional.

Since many people find it harder to access their back teeth, plaque tends to build up more easily there. This is why it is very important that you clean between your back teeth as well. Many of our interdental brushes bend at the neck, making it easier to reach back there.

If you experience a bad smell and/or taste when using interdentals, you may have food stuck between your teeth. Cleaning more regularly and thoroughly should help with this and bad breath. We recommend using the GUM® PROXABRUSH® interdental brush which is scientifically proven to remove up to 25% more plaque* thanks to its triangular bristle design. A persistent bad smell and/or taste, however, could be an indication of a different problem. In this case you should make an appointment with your dental professional.

*DOF-0001

Many orthodontic appliances can make it more difficult to clean between your teeth. There are interdental cleaners designed to easily fit around orthodontic appliances. GUM® SOFT-PICKS® ADVANCED feature a modern curved design allowing them to clean around wires and brackets effectively. GUM® PROXABRUSH® interdental brushes come in four different sizes so you can easily insert it under wires and clean around brackets more efficiently.

When wearing bridges, crowns or implants, reaching all areas properly can be difficult, but these shouldn’t be neglected if you want to protect your oral health. Using the right tools can help you clean all areas thoroughly.

GUM® SOFT-PICKS® ADVANCED feature a modern curved design and super soft rubber bristles to clean effectively under and around crowns, bridges, implants as well as wide interdental spaces. GUM® PROXABRUSH® interdental brushes are also a good option as it features a bendable neck and comes in four different sizes.