I always wondered about interdental brushes

Message

#1 Post by **Pixel Witch** » Thu May 31, 2007 7:35 pm

I've been using them for my gappier teeth

#2 Post by **Pixel Witch** » Thu May 31, 2007 11:06 pm

I have to admit after reading some stuff here, I tried to find the teeniest one possible to try to clean between teeth, and none fit, so I just went back to using them for gaps.

#3 Post by **Lisa65** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 5:14 am

I just use one size, and fit it where it will fit (round the brackets and in a few of my bigger gaps). The smaller gaps just get flossed.

#4 Post by **kypsis** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:04 am

I had complained to my ortho assistant at my first adjustment today that there might be something stuck underneath one of my molar bands... So she tells me to use the proxy brush, and I tell her "it doesn't fit anywhere, except where one of my molars was extracted, which is not where my problem is." So she proceeds to take a proxy brush, and just shove it between my two teeth right UNDERNEATH the molar band. WOW!

I never realized that they are supposed to be used THERE... Now I see from Meryaten's helpful picture that this is exactly where the arrow is pointing. I don't have any space showing between my teeth above the gums like in the illustration, but apparently that doesn't mean there isn't PLENTY of space... Well, like one of my friends says, "there's a reason you are blond."

Hopefully that picture will clear this issue up for more people than me. Thanks Meryaten!

#5 Post by **kypsis** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:01 am

Thanks for checking, Meryaten - yes, my gum is now a bit sore from all the poking, but at least it seems (or well, smells) like I got the offending remains of whatever it was out of there.

Yeay!

As for the space at gumline - I guess it really depends on the spacing of your teeth and shape and strength of gums. I can only put the brush in on the side of the molars, and some premolars, but not canines and forward.

For me, it doesn't look like it's possible to put anything in there, by any teeth, cause there is no visible space. But the gum is rather flexible, and if I push the brush hard, it'll sort of push the gum down and fit in the space... Maybe you just have very strong gums? (Which sounds like a good thing!) I asked the ortho assistant if this is a problem that I can actually put the brush in there, but she said no. Weird, cause my first thought was - this must be gum loss. Next time I go to my dentist, I will ask. Unfortunately that's not until September.

#6 Post by **kypsis** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:52 pm

Yeah, I feel the same - it's pretty scary to put that relatively large object in such a seemingly small space. What if the constant pushing of the gum down to clean the space will eventually lead to the gum staying down? But the ortho assistant told me that this is the best way to clean those spaces and saves a ton of time over flossing (which won't even get to the deeper end if there is space there), and that it's not in any way bad for your gums. I have no reason to doubt her, cause probably she knows more than I do... However, if anyone has heard any conflicting information on this, especially from dentists, orthos, etc, I would be very interested to hear.

Paranoid as I am, I even thought maybe I should go see a perio if there is enough space to stick the brush in, but the ortho assistant said no need for that. And I probably need a referral for a perio from them, don't I?

#7 Post by **mindykatz** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:33 am

I never realized just how important flossing was until recently (sad, I know!) but after finding and looking at Dr Spiller's site on gum disease that I found online by chance now I will floss EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!

Look at your own risk! http://www.doctorspiller.com/Gum_Disease.htm

I even had a dream last night that I woke up and my gums had decayed so I had really long exposed teeth and when I wiggled them, they fell out!! Ack! I HATE teeth dreams!!! I have them all the time! LOL

#8 Post by **Pixel Witch** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:33 pm

In the USA at least, periodontal disease, and not decay, is the greatest cause of adult tooth loss.

I realized that when I was growing up, perio was never really mentioned. The only thing I really remember being POUNDED into my head was Cavities, Cavities, Cavities.

Shock of my life when I discover that while I've managed to hold off Cavities like a champ, I had perio issues.