New ideas about interdental cleaning

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The New York Times reports on how a growing number of dental professionals are encouraging their patients to try interdental brushes, either along with or instead of floss. A 2018 review of 22 clinical trials found that the brushes were more effective than floss or other tools at reducing gum inflammation. “We are brainwashed from the time we get into dental hygiene school that floss is boss,” says Lancette VanGuilder, the president of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. “But the standard message we give everyone - brush and floss - doesn’t work anymore.” Judith Albino, president emerita of the University of Colorado and professor emerita at the university’s schools of public health and dental medicine, observes that most Americans don’t even follow the standard dental advice, so “If you’re adding something new, you’re adding another element of time, and something to do that they’re not used to.”


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