Proxabrush
A Proxabrush is an interdental brush that cleans plaque from spaces a toothbrush cannot reach, using a small bristled wire or coated core sized to the gap.
The short answer
A Proxabrush is a brand-style name commonly used for an interdental brush. Its filaments clean the sides of adjacent teeth and around bridges, braces, implants, and other areas where a toothbrush cannot contact the surface.
What should a correctly sized brush feel like?
The brush should pass through the space with light resistance while the filaments touch both tooth surfaces. A brush that bends sharply or needs force is too large; a brush that passes without contact may be too small.
How can you use and rinse the brush safely?
Choose the smallest size that fills the space, insert it gently without twisting force, move it in and out, and rinse it after use. Use floss where the contact is too tight for a brush and follow orthodontic or implant instructions around appliances.
When should a dentist help size brushes around your mouth?
Ask a dentist or hygienist to size the brush at several sites because spaces can differ around the mouth. Seek care for persistent bleeding, swelling, pain, or a brush that catches on a rough filling.
Which tools can clean tight contacts and dental work?
Ask which diameter fits each space, whether a floss threader is needed at tight contacts, and how to clean around bridges, braces, or implants. Ask when a worn wire or splayed brush should be replaced.
Frequently asked questions
Can an interdental brush replace floss?
It can clean many open spaces effectively, but tight contacts may still require floss or another thin interdental aid.
Why does the brush bleed?
Bleeding can reflect inflamed tissue or contact from excessive force; gentle daily use and an examination can clarify the cause.
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.