Read more about flossing in our guide about how to floss and the best products to use. Can interdental brushes damage gums?

A completely different option would be to invest in a water flosser, an electronic device that shoots a high-powered jet of water to clean between the teeth (think of it as an electric interdental brush). Are they as effective as manual interdental brushing or flossing? Perhaps not quite, but the big brands like cariPRO and Oral-B are improving their technology all the time. An added bonus is that they are very easy to use, so you're more likely to keep up daily use. If you don't like the idea of using so much disposable plastic, there are some more sustainable between-teeth cleaning options to consider. Replaceable brush heads The brush heads also have specialized tips that actually fade with use. This feature allows you to know when to replace the heads because one look and you’ll see how far into their life you’ve gone and how much time you have left with them. This is managed with the special indicator bristles that can be found at the very tip of these brushes. Do your gums hurt after using interdental brushes? It's normal for your gums to bleed a little when you first start using them. This is a sign of early gum disease (gingivitis), but your new cleaning habits will help improve your gum health. Keep up your brushing for a few days, and the bleeding should subside. Bend the wire at an angle (use a brush with a flexible head to reduce the likelihood of the wire breaking)The ADA says that it doesn't matter whether you brush or floss first, just as long as you do both. The Oral Health Foundation in the UK, however, recommends interdental cleaning before brushing. Ask your dentist what they recommend, and remember that if interdental cleaning after brushing is the only way you'll do it, then that is way better than not cleaning between teeth at all. Can you reuse interdental brushes? Interdental toothbrushes come in different sizes to fit different sized gaps between teeth. Some are disposable, whereas others consist of a longer handle and replaceable brush heads. We're going to go into more detail about these different options later on so you can figure out which is the best interdental brush for your needs. Interdental brushes vs flossing Another thing people love about the Dentek interproximal brush is that it is flavored with mint, so your mouth feels super fresh when you're done. Used correctly, interdental brushes should clean plaque from the gumline between teeth but shouldn't cause any damage to the gums. However, it may take a few days to get the hang of it.

Some PBS medications are restricted and require prior approval from Medicare before a doctor is able to prescribe them on the PBS. This prior approval to prescribe grants the doctor the Authority to prescribe the desired medicine and have it funded under the PBS. I bought these in size 6. The are perfect for getting between braces. The heads are much bigger and sturdier than the little ones you find in the store so they don't bend all over the place when you use them, which is great.” Eco-friendly options

These brush heads work well with dental work. They are designed to clean around implants, bridges, and crowns so even if you have had dental work done, you can expect a thorough brushing experience from them. Interdental brushes (also called interproximal brushes) typically have a filament held in place by a metal wire, a bit like a mini bottle brush. The wire can be angled or bent to make it easier to reach certain spots in the mouth. A handle attached to the wire lets you manoeuvre the brush to clean away plaque and food debris trapped between teeth. Some drugs may have Authority Required (Streamlined) status which does not require an explicit approval from Medicare, instead the doctor can use the Authority code found in the published Schedule for a given drug/indication. Prescriptions must be written on an Authority Prescription Form, and the approval number must be noted on the prescription. Pharmacists cannot dispense the item as a pharmaceutical benefit unless it has been approved by Medicare Australia (indicated by the presence of the approval number).