How to Properly Use an Interdental Brush and Prevent Gum Bleeding
Bleeding Gums When Using an Interdental Brush
Few things can be as unsettling during regular hygiene routines as bleeding gums. Especially if it occurs when cleaning interdental spaces—precisely at the moment when we're trying to do something extra for our teeth. Many consider it a normal reaction, while others stop using the interdental brush altogether. But what if it's a warning signal that requires our attention?
Regular oral care should be an integral part of daily routines. Toothbrush, toothpaste, sometimes mouthwash—everyone knows these. But an interdental brush? It often makes its way into many bathrooms only as a last addition. Yet, the interdental spaces are precisely where food residues and plaque accumulate, which a regular brush simply cannot remove. It is often here that the first signs of inflammation begin.
So, when bleeding occurs during the first or second use of an interdental brush, it's not unusual. But it's certainly not something we should overlook.
What Causes Bleeding Gums When Using an Interdental Brush?
The most common cause of bleeding is not excessive force or incorrect technique (although these can also play a role), but gum inflammation. This results from the accumulation of dental plaque—a soft white layer formed by bacteria that settle on and between the teeth. If not regularly removed, the bacteria start to irritate the gums, leading to sensitivity and bleeding.
Interestingly, bleeding often occurs precisely when interdental hygiene is introduced. The reason? Until then, the gums were not accustomed to mechanical cleaning in these hard-to-reach areas. However, if one continues with regular care, the bleeding should subside within a few days to weeks. If it persists longer, it's worth visiting a dentist or dental hygienist.
How to Properly Use an Interdental Brush to Stop the Bleeding?
The key is choosing the right size. A brush that's too small won't clean the area sufficiently, while one that's too large can mechanically damage the gums. The ideal interdental brush should enter the space with light resistance, but without force. In some cases, multiple sizes need to be used—each interdental space can have a different width.
Proper technique is also important. The brush is gently inserted between the teeth and cleaned with one or two forward and backward motions. There's no need to press, circle, or attempt multiple passes over the same area. Regularity is more important than force.
When one learns to master this technique, their level of oral hygiene often significantly improves—which affects not only the health of the teeth but also the overall condition of the organism.
When Is Bleeding Still Normal and When Is It Not?
At the beginning of implementing a new hygiene routine, bleeding gums when using an interdental brush can be common. However, if it lasts more than two weeks or worsens, is accompanied by pain, bad breath, or tooth mobility, it may be a sign of periodontitis—an inflammatory disease of the tooth-supporting structures that can lead to tooth loss. In such cases, professional treatment is essential.
A real-life example? Mrs. Eva, a fifty-year-old accountant, decided to visit a dental hygienist after years. She admitted that she had bought an interdental brush several times but never used it because her gums would start bleeding immediately. The hygienist showed her how to use the brush correctly, recommended the appropriate size, and explained that the bleeding was a sign of inflammation, not a fault in technique. After three weeks of regular cleaning, the bleeding completely stopped—and Mrs. Eva praised for the first time since her youth that she had the "feeling of truly clean teeth."
What Else Can Help?
Besides proper hygiene, lifestyle plays a role. Smoking, poor nutrition (especially a lack of vitamins C and K), stress, or overall immunity—all these can affect the condition of the gums. People with diabetes or pregnant women are also more prone to bleeding gums. Research shows that up to 70% of pregnant women suffer from some form of gum inflammation.
Special attention should also be paid to the composition of toothpastes. Many commonly available pastes contain aggressive foaming agents (e.g., SLS—sodium lauryl sulfate), which can irritate the gums. Conversely, natural toothpastes without these substances, containing chamomile, sage, or tea tree oil, can help soothe inflammation. Ferwer emphasizes natural oral hygiene products in its offerings, which respect the balance of the oral microflora and are gentle on the gums.
Try our natural products
Therefore, it's advisable to seek products that support natural protection while avoiding unnecessary chemicals.
How to Recognize a More Advanced Problem?
If bleeding occurs even during regular eating or without any apparent cause, and if the gums are red, swollen, or receding from the teeth, it may be an advanced inflammation. Along with frequent bad breath or a feeling of "pressure" around the teeth, it's no longer a cosmetic issue but a health complication. In such a state, an interdental brush alone is not enough. Professional examination and sometimes treatment with antibiotics or deep cleaning of gum pockets are needed.
According to the Czech Dental Chamber, up to 90% of adults experience bleeding gums. However, many do not seek help in time because they consider bleeding a normal part of life. "Bleeding gums are like a warning light on the dashboard. We can ignore it, but the problem continues to worsen," summarizes Dr. Jana Smetanová, a dentist with many years of experience.
What to Take Away from This?
Bleeding gums when using an interdental brush is not a reason to fear—but neither is it to be ignored. It's an opportunity to start caring more about one's oral health. Gums that bleed are not healthy. But they are also capable of recovery—often just a few weeks of consistent hygiene and properly chosen tools are enough.
Today, we have not only the right tools available but also sufficient information. There's no need to rely solely on advertisements and instinct. It's enough to consult with a professional, monitor one's body's reactions, and not be afraid to change established habits. Even such a small thing as regular use of an interdental brush can mean the difference between a healthy smile and a painful visit to the dentist in the long run.
And where better to start than at home—in front of the mirror, with a glass of brushes and pastes that we take for granted. Because as a well-known saying goes: "You only have one set of teeth. Treat them as if they are meant to last a lifetime."
