Sustainability of regular use of interdental cleaning tools in periodontally healthy individuals

This study compared how well rubber interdental picks and dental floss work over 6 months for people with healthy gums. It aimed to find out which tool people use more consistently. Interdental cleaning is important because brushing alone does not remove all the plaque. Regular cleaning between teeth helps to prevent gum diseases and tooth decay. Fifty-four volunteers with healthy gums were divided into 2 groups: 1 group used rubber interdental picks, and the other used dental floss. Participants were instructed to use their assigned tool daily and follow a regular oral care routine. Their usage and oral health were monitored throughout the study. Results showed that people used rubber interdental picks more regularly than dental floss. On average, those using picks continued for about 12.6 weeks out of 24 weeks, while floss users maintained the habit for approximately 5 weeks. As a conclusion, rubber interdental picks seem to be more likely to be used consistently and can be more effective for maintaining gum health compared to dental floss.