Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time… it’s a mantra that’s drilled into us from an early age.

Traditional brushing is certainly a crucial part of protecting your dental health, but unfortunately it isn’t enough. That’s because brushes can only reach 60 per cent of the tooth surface, leaving food debris and plaque to build up between them which can lead to gum disease*.

To ensure the remaining up to 40 per cent of your teeth aren’t neglected, it’s essential to use an interdental brush every day to clean those hard to reach areas.

TePe is the number one selling interdental brush in the UK**, with 94 per cent of dental hygienists recommending it for clean, healthy teeth and gums***.

Below, they provide seven reasons why you should be caring for your whole mouth – not just the parts you can see.

1. It reduces your risk of disease

Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of gum disease, a condition that can lead to your gums becoming red, swollen and bleeding when you brush.

Although this is fairly widely known, fewer than half of people are aware that gum disease can raise your risk of a range of other illnesses including diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and even dementia.

As a result, you should consider taking care of your teeth and gums as an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle – just like exercising and eating a healthy diet.

While gum disease is very common – with eight in ten over-35s experiencing some form of it – the good news is that mild cases can be reversed with good oral hygiene, including interdental brushing.

2. You’ll have a beautiful smile

There’s a reason a dazzling smile is so sought after – it’s a massive confidence booster, which can improve your mood as much as your appearance.

Luckily, a gleaming smile doesn’t have to require spending thousands on complex procedures – it can often be as simple as taking care of your teeth and gums.

By adopting a thorough cleaning routine your teeth are less likely to become decayed or discolored.

Remember, a gleaming smile starts with healthy teeth.

3. It’s easy!

There’s a myth that interdental brushes can be difficult or even painful to use, but that simply doesn’t have to be the case.

TePe is the easy, comfortable, and efficient way to clean between your teeth, leaving your whole mouth fresh and healthy.

Made in Sweden from sustainable materials in a factory using renewable energy, the brushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are gentle enough to be compatible with dental appliances, bridges, crowns and implants.

Speak with your dental hygienist so they can recommend the correct size for the gaps between your teeth or try a TePe interdental brush mixed pack with six different sizes – so you can find the right size for you.

4. You’ll avoid bad breath

Your mouth contains bacteria which break down proteins from food debris, saliva, and plaque, and in the process release gases that smell unpleasant.

This means maintaining good oral hygiene to avoid bacterial build-up in all parts of your mouth is an important way of keeping your breath smelling fresh.

And don’t forget to clean your tongue!

You can do it with the tongue cleaner you’ll often find on brushing on the opposite side of the bristles. Alternatively, use a TePe GOOD tongue cleaner to clean effectively without irritating your gag reflex.

5. You can protect your teeth

While losing teeth used to be seen as an inevitable part of aging, it certainly doesn’t have to be.

Keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy can help you avoid severe tooth decay and gum infections, which are two of the most common causes of tooth loss.

Also remember to regularly visit your dentist so you can spot any issues as early as possible.

6. You’ll save money in the long run

Anyone who’s had to have a major procedure at the dentist will know it can be eye-wateringly expensive.

Fortunately, by taking care of your teeth and gums daily using TePe you can avoid many common problems that can lead to major costs down the line.

Of course, it’s crucial that taking care of our personal future doesn’t have a negative impact on the future of the planet.

That’s why TePe brushes are now made using plant-based plastic, helping to slash their carbon footprint by 80 per percent.

And the team at TePe are committed to going even further by aiming to make all products and packaging carbon neutral.

7. It helps during pregnancy

Due to hormone changes, many pregnant women suffer from gingivitis – a mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness and swelling.

Even small amounts of plaque left on and around the teeth during pregnancy will result in an exaggerated response in the gums.

Pregnant women with gum disease can avoid their condition from worsening by maintaining good oral health.

It may also have a positive effect on pregnancy, especially in those women with a known high risk of low birth weight or preterm birth.

take care of your whole mouth today with Tepe.

*https://www.tepe.com/uk/behind-your-smile

**TePe is the No1 selling interdental brush in the UK – IRi March 2023

***94% of British Dental Hygienists recommend TePe – A survey of 201 dental hygienists in the UK, Ipsos (2019