The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7250 p720
24 May 2003

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Letters to the Editor

Oral health

Use interdental brushes

From Ms E. Tilling, MIHPE

I was delighted to see your article on general oral health care by Derrick Garwood (PJ, 3 May, p619). As a dental hygienist I want to comment on the presentation of dental floss as seemingly the only method of interdental cleaning. Flossing is difficult for even the most motivated and dextrous of patients. An effective and atraumatic flossing technique is the gold standard for interdental cleaning but most patients cannot achieve it.

Another method of interdental cleaning that is being taught routinely in dental schools is the use of interdental brushes, which are matched to the size of the interdental spaces. This method is not only easier than flossing it is also highly effective, probably because patients use them more often than floss. There will, of course, be some sites that interdental brushes cannot fit into and floss is the only option, but for most sites interdental brushes offer an easy and effective way to clean. A range of interdental brushes can be obtained from dental wholesalers and a limited number of pharmaceutical wholesalers.

Elaine Tilling
Education and Project Manager
Molar Ltd

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