Reviewed by the DECMA clinical team · Last updated: Saturday, 7 November 2026
A toothbrush cleans the front, back and top of your teeth, but it cannot reach the narrow spaces between them. These gaps are where decay and gum disease often begin. Cleaning between your teeth once a day removes the plaque and food your brush leaves behind.
Floss or interdental brushes?
Interdental brushes are small brushes that fit between the teeth. They come in different sizes, colour-coded by width. They are usually the easiest and most effective choice if your gaps are big enough to fit one.
Floss or floss tape suits tight gaps where an interdental brush will not fit. Floss holders and floss picks can make it easier to reach back teeth.
Many people use both: brushes where the gaps are wider, and floss where the teeth are tight. At your check-up we can show you which sizes suit your mouth.
How to use an interdental brush
- Choose a size that fits snugly without forcing it.
- Gently push the brush between the teeth at gum level.
- Move it back and forth a few times, then move to the next gap.
- Rinse the brush and replace it when the bristles wear out.
How to floss
- Take about 45 cm of floss and wind most of it around one finger of each hand.
- Slide it gently between two teeth. Don't snap it into the gum.
- Curve it into a C shape against the side of one tooth and move it gently up and down.
- Repeat on the neighbouring tooth, then move to a clean section of floss for the next gap.
Is a little bleeding normal?
Your gums may bleed for the first week or two when you start cleaning between your teeth. This usually stops as the gums become healthier. If the bleeding carries on for more than two weeks, book a check-up.