Oral health experts stress the importance of integrating interdental hygiene into oral healthcare routines.
80% of people over 35 suffer from gingivitis, a condition that can be prevented 90% of the
time with oral hygiene that includes interdental care.
The use of interdental devices can reduce gum bleeding by 47% within one week.

Barcelona, January 21 st , 2025. Interdental hygiene goes beyond being a mere addition to brushing; its advantages lie in its ability to prevent oral diseases which can also affect overall health. This is one of the conclusions reached by oral health experts from different countries who have gathered in Barcelona to address patient-centered recommendation on interdental cleaning.

Data from the report conducted by Hamilton Consulting for Dentaid 1 show that 62% of people do not regularly perform interdental hygiene. This is underscored by data highlighting the correlation between interproximal hygiene and various oral issues or diseases. 78% of caries 2 originate in the interproximal area. Likewise, it is noted that periodontitis, which is caused by bacterial plaque build-up, is responsible for up to 60% of intra-oral halitosis cases 3 , and is also a key factor in the development of peri-implantitis - an inflammatory process of the tissues surrounding an osseointegrated implant - in four out of five people.

Effectively controlling and eliminating plaque is essential to prevent periodontal diseases, and interdental cleaning is key to preserving gingival health. In this sense, the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) advocates for the use of interdental brushes due to their effectiveness. While a regular brush effectively removes plaque from tooth surfaces, it does not adequately clean the interdental spaces.

According to Professor Christof Dörfer, Director of the Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel “The need for interdental cleaning must be understood in a broad sense to be able to show how to do it correctly,” and he adds: “The first step involves recognising that we are addressing surfaces that require specialised cleaning tools, the second is to acknowledge that the process will require more time than simple brushing, and finally, to observe the improvement in the condition of the mouth and to realise the necessity for more in-depth cleaning.”

It is imperative to address all aspects of dental hygiene and raise awareness regarding the deficiencies in traditional oral hygiene practices. This is particularly crucial considering that there is a 50% incidence of gingivitis across the general population 4 . Furthermore, interdental spaces change throughout life, which underlines the importance of adapting and personalising tools not only to treat gingivitis, periodontitis and the complexities associated with dental implants, but also to prevent periodontal diseases and, consequently, to help preventing systemic diseases.

Dr Nicola Discepoli, a periodontologist, professor at the Department of Medical Biotechnologies in University of Siena and in the Master's Degree in Periodontology and Implants at the Complutense University of Madrid, notes: "It’s striking to observe the contrast in the prevalence of periodontitis between people who don’t use interproximal brushes and those who use them more than 4 times a week, even among individuals of the same age or ethnicity."

The recommendation from experts is clear: interdental cleaning at least once a day must be included in people’s oral hygiene routine, regardless of the time of day or order of use, to develop an effective habit and to maintain optimal oral health. The benefits are clear; it is estimated that the use of interdental tools can reduce bleeding by 47% in one week and by 85% in three months 5 .

Experts say that the challenge that must be overcome is also psychological. As Professor Johannes Ehrenthal, a psychologist and professor of Clinical Psychology and Empirical-Quantitative Depth Psychology at the University of Cologne, puts it: “Changing oral hygiene habits is a challenge because the positive reward is not immediate. It is therefore necessary for people to have broad knowledge about the importance of interdental hygiene, the necessary skills and practice. Oral hygiene should be done conscientiously and be enjoyable and rewarding.”

The importance of interdental cleaning hinges on a simple yet often overlooked truth: brushing alone is insufficient. By changing oral hygiene routines, we can bridge the gap in the prevention of oral diseases.

Discover the importance of interproximal hygiene

A company with a clear purpose: to promote and improve people's oral health throughout their lives through research, dissemination of knowledge and the development of innovative products. The Dentaid Research Center is located in Spain and is where knowledge is generated and shared with professionals for its application to science-backed oral healthcare solutions. With brands like Vitis®, Interprox®, Perio·Aid® and PHB®, Dentaid reaches over 35 million people in 60 different countries.

1. Hamilton Survey for Dentaid. Oral hygiene habits in Spain, Netherlands and Chile (sample of 7,169 people representative of the population between 20 and 65 years of age). 2021
   2. Demirci M., Tuncer S., Yuceokur AA. Prevalence of caries on individual tooth surfaces and its distribution by age (between 17 and 25 years) and gender university clinic patients. Eur J Dent. 2010
   3. Roldán S., Serrano J., Herrera D. Guía Halitosis, conceptos y manejo clínico [Halitosis Guide, Concepts and Clinical Management]. 2013
   4. Gasner, N. S., & Schure, R. S. (2023). Periodontal Disease. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
   5. Bourgeois, D., Bravo, M., Llodra, J. C., Inquimbert, C., Viennot, S., Dussart, C., & Carrouel, F. (2019). Calibrated interdental brushing for the prevention of periodontal pathogens infection in young adults - a randomized controlled clinical trial. Scientific reports, 9(1), 15127.