Interdental brushes or dental floss?
Quick answer
Are interdental brushes better than dental floss?
For most adults, yes. Evidence suggests small interdental brushes clean the spaces between teeth more effectively than string floss and reduce gum inflammation better, particularly where gums have receded or teeth no longer touch tightly.
Floss remains the right tool where contacts are too tight for a brush to pass. Either way, the goal is cleaning between the teeth once a day — the roughly 40% of tooth surfaces a toothbrush never reaches.
| Interdental brushes | Dental floss | Water flosser | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Open gum gaps, receded areas | Tight contacts between teeth | Bridges, implants, fixed braces |
| How it cleans | Scrubs both tooth surfaces on one pass | Wipes each surface as it slides through | Flushes with a pulsing jet |
| Ease of use | Easy once sized correctly | Takes technique practice | Easy but needs water and power |
| Evidence for gum health | Strongest of the three | Effective with good technique | Useful adjunct, not a substitute |
Are interdental brushes better than floss?
Gum disease and interdental decay start where bristles cannot reach, so the daily between-teeth clean is the single highest-value habit in dentistry. Interdental brushes (small bristled cones in graded sizes) flex to the triangular shape of the gum gap and scrub plaque off both neighbouring surfaces on one pass. Choose the largest size that fits without forcing — most people need two or three sizes around the mouth.
When is floss still the better choice?
Floss still earns its place: where teeth touch tightly, a brush simply won't pass, and the C-shaped floss technique cleans the contacts that trap food between front teeth. Water flossers help around bridges, implants and fixed braces but flush rather than scrub. Clean between your teeth before brushing in the evening, so the fluoride in your toothpaste reaches the gaps it exists to protect.
Is it normal for gums to bleed when you start?
Expect some bleeding when you start — it signals gingivitis, and it usually settles within two weeks of daily cleaning. If it doesn't, or gums are swollen or receding, book a hygienist (£77) or a Direct Access visit (£92, no dentist appointment needed first); why gums bleed explains what is happening. Membership plans from £22.99 a month include your hygiene visits and check-ups together.
Care at York House Dental Practice
Welcoming new patients, families and emergency appointments from West Byfleet, Woking, Weybridge, and across Surrey.
Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist
