Gum Self-Care Tools: How to Choose and Use Floss and Interdental Brushes

Should I use floss or an interdental brush?

The selection rule is to use each according to the size of the space in each area [2]. Brushing alone does not remove enough plaque between the teeth (interdental areas), so interdental tools are needed as well to prevent periodontal disease and cavities [1]. Each tool’s role is as follows.

Tool	Suitable area	Role
Floss	Areas where teeth are too tight for an interdental brush	Scrapes plaque off the sides of teeth [2]
Interdental brush	Areas where the space has opened, such as from gum recession	Removes plaque from widened interdental spaces [2]
Water flosser (oral irrigator)	Supplementary tool	Helps rinse away food debris: does not replace physical plaque removal [2]

DentStat analyzed about 1,300 patient comments on self-care tools in YouTube dental content. Typical questions were “Should I use floss or an interdental brush?”, “What order should I use them in?”, and “Do interdental brushes push teeth apart?” [3].

Do interdental brushes push teeth apart?

Not if you use the right size [2]. An interdental brush cleans plaque from space that is already empty; it does not create space [2]. The feeling that “the gaps widened after I started using it” is often explained by existing spaces being revealed as gum recession or inflammatory swelling goes down [2]. The comment analysis also repeatedly found reactions from people who stopped using them out of fear of widening gaps [3].

Size does matter, though. Forcing a large size into a tight area can damage the gums and tooth surfaces, so the standard is a size that passes through smoothly without resistance, and different areas may need different sizes [2]. Areas where no size fits should be cleaned with floss [2].

Should I floss before or after brushing?

Views on order differ, and the key is not skipping interdental cleaning, whatever the order [2]. One order sometimes suggested is to loosen plaque between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes first and finish with brushing [2]. In the comment analysis, many questions sought a single right answer on order [3], but what official guidance has in common is not order but doing both, “brushing plus interdental cleaning” [1].

Bleeding when you first start is often a sign that the area was inflamed, and it often decreases with regular use [2]. If bleeding keeps recurring in the same area despite continued use, you should see a dentist to check for other causes such as tartar below the gums [1].

Do I need to brush hard to clean well?

No. The key to removing plaque is not pressure but cleaning the entire border between the teeth and gums, and too much pressure can cause wear at the neck of the teeth and gum recession [1]. With an electric toothbrush, the vibration or rotation does the cleaning, so the recommended method is to hold it lightly and move it along; scrubbing as you would with a manual brush increases the risk of wear [2]. Waiting a little before brushing right after acidic foods such as soda or fruit is also sometimes recommended [1].

Common myths and facts

• Myth: “Floss is for removing food, so if nothing is stuck, I don’t need it.” → Fact: The purpose of floss is removing plaque (a bacterial film) on tooth surfaces, so it is needed even when there is no food stuck [2].
• Myth: “A water flosser is a better tool than floss.” → Fact: They have different roles, and a water flosser is described as unable to replace physical plaque removal [2].
• Myth: “If it bleeds, stop using the tool.” → Fact: Early bleeding is a common reaction; only persistent or repeated bleeding needs a dentist [2].
• Myth: “The harder and longer you brush, the cleaner your teeth.” → Fact: Too much pressure can cause wear and recession [1].

You can find gum symptoms that self-care cannot control, along with treatment and health insurance in general, in the gum disease guide, tartar care in the scaling guide, and dental clinics by region in find a dentist.