Why Your Toothbrush Is Only Doing Half the Job, According to Experts
The rate at which life is going at the moment, most of us are doing reasonably well if we’ve managed two minutes with the toothbrush before bed. But it turns out that toothbrush alone is only doing part of the job — and the bit it’s missing matters more than we probably realise.
Oral healthcare brand TePe™ has just released research that makes for interesting bathroom-mirror reading. A recent survey found that just over half of Irish people — 50.4% to be precise — currently use interdental brushes or dental floss. Which means nearly half of us are leaving up to 40% of our tooth surfaces uncleaned every single day. Not through laziness. Just through not knowing.
Why your toothbrush isn’t doing it alone
Dental Hygienist and Educator Siobhan Kelleher puts it plainly: “Most people think brushing their teeth is enough, but brushing alone can only reach around 60% of the tooth surfaces. That means up to 40% of the tooth surface, particularly the areas between the teeth, can be left with plaque after brushing.”
That plaque left sitting between teeth can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath — often without any obvious warning signs until the damage is done. And it doesn’t stop there. As Kelleher notes, “oral health doesn’t exist in isolation. Bacteria and inflammatory substances associated with gum disease can enter the bloodstream, and research has linked poor oral health and periodontal disease with a range of systemic health conditions.”
In other words, those two minutes twice a day are a great start — but adding even a small interdental step can make a significant difference to your overall health, not just your smile.
The good news is that October is National Dental Hygiene Month, and with National Brush Day arriving on 1 November, there’s never been a better moment to think about upgrading your routine. Even just slightly.
The range that makes it actually manageable
TePe™ has been making oral care products in Sweden since 1965 and everything in the range is developed in collaboration with dental professionals. The focus isn’t on overwhelming your bathroom shelf — it’s on finding something that fits your life and actually gets used.
A handy interdental brush for cleaning between teeth.
The TePe™ Interdental Brushes (available in packs of 6, in 7 sizes plus a mixed-size pack, from €4.99 RRP) are the most popular option for a reason. Colour-coded by size so you can find the right fit for your gaps, they’re reusable, quick to use and satisfyingly effective. If getting between the back teeth feels awkward, the TePe™ Angled Brushes (packs of 6, in 6 sizes plus a mixed pack, €5.99 RRP) have a long handle and angled head that makes the whole thing far less of a contortion.
For anyone who finds traditional interdental brushes a bit fiddly to get started with, the TePe EasyFit™ (S/M or M/L, €5.45 RRP) is worth a look. Its conical brush shape means it can clean gaps of different sizes in one go — no obsessing over which size is right for which tooth. It’s the kind of product that removes the excuse not to bother.
Easy Fit brushes come in S/M and M/L sizes.
The TePe EasyPick™ (XS/S or M/L, €5.99 RRP) is a silicone toothpick with a flexible core that cleans between teeth comfortably and gently on gums — a brilliant handbag option for after lunch. And if floss is more your style but you find the traditional string-around-fingers approach a bit of a palaver, the TePe Mini Flosser™ (pack of 36, €4.49 RRP) is a pre-loaded floss holder with PFAA-free floss that slides into tight spaces without the drama.
The EasyPick is a compact, flexible interdental brush.
Small steps, genuinely big results
The TePe survey also found that our dental habits are expanding — toothpicks are now used by 32% of Irish people, tongue scrapers by 14% and water flossers by 11%. We’re clearly becoming more interested in the full picture of oral health. And the demand for on-the-go options is growing too, which makes sense when you think about how much of life happens outside the bathroom.
TePe’s products come with hygiene caps and compact travel cases as standard across much of the range, so throwing one in your bag alongside the lip balm and the Calpol sachet you’ve been carrying since 2023 isn’t a stretch.
The full TePe™ range is available in pharmacies and grocery retailers nationwide, starting from €2.99 RRP for the TePe™ Select Toothbrush up to €12.99 RRP for the TePe™ Orthodontic Kit. Find out more at tepe.com.
*RRP prices correct at time of publication.