Just like your toothbrush, interdental brushes can be used every time you clean your teeth until they start to wear out.

A completely different option would be to invest in a water flosser, an electronic device which shoots a high-powered jet of water to clean between the teeth (think of it like an electric interdental brush). Are they as effective as manual interdental brushing or flossing? Perhaps not quite, but the big brands like Philips and Oral-B are improving their technology all the time. An added bonus is that they are much less fiddly to use, so you're more likely to keep up daily use. The average interdental brush can last anywhere from 3 days to a few weeks, depending on use and how hard it is working. What are interdental brushes made of? For the front of the mouth, insert brush into the space between the teeth at gum level by turning slightly. This technique aids access and reduces stress on the wire. Choose a long-handled interdental brush with an angled head, like the TePe Angle Interdental Brush.If you don't like the idea of using so much disposable plastic, there are some more sustainable between-teeth cleaning options to consider. Replaceable brush heads Stoddard interdental brushes are designed and manufactured in the UK. They use a high tensile strength wire to enhance durability, and the protective cap doubles up as an extension to the handle. If your brush wire breaks or some bristles come loose while you're using it, discard it and continue with a brand new one. The best time to clean between your teeth is in the evening. This way, you know that there is no food left between your teeth while you sleep (a common cause of bad morning breath). However, if the morning suits you better, the important thing is that you're doing it at least once a day. Should you use interdental brushes before or after brushing? The Oral Health Foundation recommends interdental cleaning before brushing, based on research which found that doing it this way around removed more plaque overall. Other bodies say that brushing teeth first is just as effective. Can you reuse interdental brushes?

Just like a normal toothbrush, you should rinse interdental brushes after each use to keep them clean. Should you use toothpaste with interdental toothbrushes? Try inserting the brush from the inside (next to the tongue or the roof of the mouth) rather than the outside If you're new to between-teeth brushing, or you want to know whether you're doing it correctly, you probably have questions along these lines: You should use your interdental brush to clean between teeth in this way once a day, while still brushing in the normal way twice a day. See our teeth-brushing guide for more about how to brush your teeth properly.You might be wondering whether an interdental brush can replace string floss – especially if you find traditional floss quite difficult to use. Well, the good news is that various studies have shown that using interdental brushes is an effective alternative to flossing. Interproximal brushing can even be more effective at removing plaque than regular flossing, according to this research. If you're unsure whether to use interdental brushes or floss (or both!), it's best to ask your dentist. Their answer may depend on your current oral health and the positioning of your teeth, or they might just recommend using whatever you find easier. Truthbrush also offers a subscription service at a discounted price, so you can have new interdental brushes delivered periodically. Looking for an environmentally responsible way to clean between your teeth? These specially designed interdental brushes by Truthbrush are carefully made from sustainably sourced bamboo and finished with plant oil for a smooth feel and water resistance. Yes, absolutely. You only need to change your interdental brush when the bristles start to show signs of wear or the wire gives way. Each brush might last 1-2 weeks or more, depending on how much you use it. Certain manufacturers market their brushes as having better durability, so you might want to try a few and see which lasts longest for you.

The ICON interdental brushes from Stoddard come in a full range of eight sizes, including a white 0.35mm brush which is the smallest of all those we've featured here. If you find that other brands of brush are too large to fit between your teeth, this could be worth a try. Unless advised by your dentist, you shouldn't use toothpaste with an interdental brush. However, you can buy special gels which are suitable for interproximal application, like TePe Gingival Gel. This contains antiseptic chlorhexidine and fluoride to offer extra protection. The best interdental brush brands in the UK So, now you know how to use interdental brushes, but which is the best brand and type for you? Below we cover some of the biggest brands in the UK, as well as some lesser-known ones which offer different features. TePe interdental brushes Well, you're in the right place because we are going to answer these questions – and more – in our guide to interdental brushes.While there are no fully biodegradable interdental brushes currently on the market, there are bamboo interdental brushes in which the handle is made from bamboo and the brush is made from nylon. To know how to properly use TePe interdental brushes for your daily oral care routine – see the following VIDEO. You can recycle the plastic handle of interdental brushes. You just have to separate the brush from the handle with pliers or some other tool. How often should you change an interdental brush? Interdental brushes are small brushes specifically designed to clean between your teeth. Interdental brushes can be used as an alternative to flossing. There are some studies that show that daily interdental brushing is more effective than daily flossing at removing plaque. Can you recycle interdental brushes?