New periodontitis patient study finds interdental brushes and rubber interdental picks most efficient in reducing both plaque and gingival inflammation

The results showed that interdental brushes and rubber interdental picks are superior compared to toothbrushing alone and toothbrushing combined with floss.

The research, published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, has important implications for dental patients with periodontitis, the destructive inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the tooth and leading cause of tooth loss (1). As mentioned by the authors in their paper, research shows that approximately 30 per cent of the adult population over the age of 50 are affected by this disease (2).

The study demonstrated that by using a toothbrush alone, or with the additional use of interdental devices, plaque levels and gingival inflammation can be reduced already. However, compared to the use of a toothbrush alone, or in combination with dental floss, further benefits were also seen in reduction of plaque and inflammation when interdental brushes and rubber picks were used instead. Although this is in line with previous studies findings (3,4), those were not restricted to periodontitis patients only, which makes the current study unique.