No resistance, no point: How to use interdental brushes like a boss

You're not a fan of dental floss? Especially for those wearing retainers, braces or with wide gaps between teeth, interdental brushes might be a good alternative.

Being single-tufted brushes, they can effectively remove debris and prevent the build-up of dental plaque where your normal toothbrush doesn't reach.

For interdental brushes to be effective, you need to make sure to pick the right size though, says dentist Stefan Zimmer. If it still looks as good as new after weeks of use, the brush is probably too small, he explains.

If there isn't much resistance when inserting your dental brush between your teeth, it won't clean properly, says Zimmer, a professor for dentistry at Germany's Witten/Herdecke University.

If you don't notice any wear on the brush, it's best to switch to a larger size. "You've picked an ideal size if the brush can be moved into the space betwee your teeth with gentle pressure," Zimmer says.

"However, it is important that the wire core of the interdental brush does not touch the tooth." This leaves the question how often you should replace an interdental brush.

"If it is dirty or the bristles or wire are bent, then it should be replaced at the latest," says Zimmer. After using an interdental brush, rinse under running water and allow it to dry well.