Choosing an Interdental Cleaning Tool: Floss, Picks, and Interdental Brushes

Why cleaning between teeth matters

Plaque that stays between teeth and along the gum line contributes to both cavities and gum inflammation. The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between teeth once a day with an interdental cleaner such as floss. Gum disease often begins in these hidden spaces. Its early stage, gingivitis, typically shows as red, swollen or bleeding gums and is generally considered reversible with good daily care and professional cleanings, while untreated inflammation can progress to periodontitis.

No single tool is best for everyone. Spaces between teeth vary: tight contacts in younger mouths, wider gaps after gum recession or gum treatment, and awkward areas around bridges, braces or implants. Many people end up using two tools for different parts of the mouth.

String floss: best for tight contacts

Floss slides through tight contact points where nothing else fits. Used well, it wraps into a C-shape around each tooth and moves up and down the side of the tooth and slightly under the gum line — not just snapped in and out. Waxed or PTFE ("glide") floss tends to shred less in tight spots.

Limitations: technique takes practice, it is harder with limited dexterity, and in wider spaces a thin strand may slide past plaque on concave root surfaces. Floss threaders or tufted "super floss" help under bridges and around orthodontic wires.

Floss picks: convenient, with trade-offs

Floss picks hold a short taut strand on a plastic handle, which makes reaching back teeth easier and suits people who would otherwise skip flossing. Their main limitation is that the strand is straight, so wrapping it around the curve of a tooth is harder. Angling the pick toward one tooth, then the other, partly compensates. Reusing one section across the whole mouth moves debris around, so rinse it or use a fresh pick as needed.

Interdental brushes: often more effective in open spaces

Interdental brushes are small, cone- or cylinder-shaped brushes that fit into the triangle-shaped spaces near the gum line. In spaces wide enough to accept them, they generally remove plaque more efficiently than floss because the bristles fill the space and reach concave root surfaces. They are commonly suggested after gum treatment, around bridges and implants, and for braces.

Sizing matters. The brush should fit snugly without forcing; a brush that bends or scrapes is too large, and one that slides loosely is too small. Many people need two or three sizes for different spaces. Insert gently at the gum line, move back and forth a few times, and replace the brush when bristles splay or the wire bends. They do not fit tight contacts — that is where floss still has a role.

Water flossers and other options

Water flossers direct a pulsing stream between teeth and along the gum line. They can be helpful for braces, implants, bridges and people with limited dexterity, and some find them easier to use consistently. They are less effective at scraping off sticky plaque on contact surfaces, so some people combine them with another tool. Rubber or silicone picks are another gentle option for moderate spaces. Wooden toothpicks can dislodge food but are a poor substitute for systematic cleaning.

When choosing products, the ADA Seal of Acceptance indicates a product has been evaluated for safety and efficacy, which can help narrow the options.

Matching the tool to your mouth

Some typical examples: tight, healthy contacts usually suit waxed floss or floss picks. Visible triangular gaps near the gum line often suit interdental brushes. Fixed bridges, implants and braces may call for threaders, interdental brushes or a water flosser. Arthritis or limited grip often goes better with picks, handled brushes or a water flosser.

Bleeding during the first week or two of a new routine is common when gums are inflamed and usually lessens as inflammation settles. Bleeding that persists, pain, or spaces that are getting larger are reasons to have your gums evaluated. A hygienist or dentist can show you which sizes fit and check your technique.

Making it a habit

Timing matters less than consistency. Cleaning between teeth before brushing lets fluoride toothpaste reach newly cleaned surfaces, but any regular daily time works. Keeping tools where you will see them — beside the toothbrush, in a bag, at a desk — removes a common barrier. The most effective tool is the one that fits your spaces and that you will use every day.