Interdental Brush Too Tight?Ask About the Size
Breath & MouthArticleDo not force the brush between your teeth; ask your dental team to check the size.
Should you push harder?
No. Dorset County Hospital advises against using force with an interdental brush because you may damage your gums.1
Who can check the size?
Use the size recommended by your dentist or hygienist. If the brush feels too tight, ask them to review which size is appropriate for your teeth.1
Try: “This interdental brush feels too tight. Can you check the size and explain which one I should use?”
What symptoms should you report?
Tell your dental team about bleeding gums, pain or sore spots in your mouth. Dorset’s guidance advises reporting these problems.1
Keep the team’s size recommendation with your dental-care instructions so you can check it when replacing the brushes.
Is It My Breath? includes a visit script. Use it to organize cleaning questions and your dental team’s answers. Explore the mouth playbook.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. Please don't ignore professional advice or delay getting care because of something you read here. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
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Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 2021Keeping your Teeth and Gums Healthy (opens in a new tab)abc
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