This piece of research is based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a register representing the civilian, noninstitutionalized population in the United States. Adults 30 years and older were included and the study population consisted of 6,891 individuals. The overall aim was to evaluate the impact of interdental cleaning on the prevalence of the two main oral diseases, caries and periodontal disease.

 

Less periodontal disease described as interproximal attachment level and interproximal probing depth was observed among individuals using interdental cleaning devices. A higher frequency of use, 4-7 times per week, was beneficial for periodontal health. The use of interdental cleaning devices was also positively correlated to less coronal and interproximal caries and lower numbers of missing teeth, even when the numbers were adjusted for sugar consumption.

 

The results also show that the individuals in the group who used interdental cleaning devices were more likely to be female, to have an education on a higher level, to never have been smokers, and to utilize dental care on a regular base.

 

This register-based study reinforces the need for an oral health behaviour that includes interdental cleaning to control the interdental biofilm, thereby reducing the development of caries and periodontal disease.