The present invention relates to certain interdental cleaning devices and methods for their manufacture and use to remove interdental debris, to alleviate and/or prevent gingival inflammation, and or to deliver desired pharmacological and therapeutic or other active agents to the gingival or tooth surfaces. The pharmacologic and therapeutic agents of the present invention include, but are not limited to, antibiotics, antiseptics, anesthetics, astringents, and whitening agents. The present invention also includes various methods for the manufacture and use of interdental cleaning devices comprising a porous structural component that may be used to topically or locally deliver the pharmacologic and therapeutic agents according to the present invention to a desired target tissue within a mammalian body such as the interdental space to reduce or treat gingival infection, inflammation, or pain. The present invention further includes various methods for the manufacture and use of interdental cleaning devices comprising a porous structural component that may be used to topically or locally apply negative pressure to remove debris from the interdental space.
