Plaque and bleeding gums, where am I going wrong?

[Waytooearly]

I moved to the UK about 11 years ago and started having problems with plaque. Never had in US, don't know if it was just my age or different water/diet.

At first I was prescribed an electric toothbrush which made my gums start to recede, so I stopped. I use a soft-bristled brush snd floss twice a day. I brush really thoroughly and floss correctly.

Still every time I go to the dentist they're surprised at how much plaque I have. They don't believe me that I floss!

I went to a new hygienist this afternoon and she wants me to come back in three months time.

What am I missing?

Gargle with Corsodyl mouthwash, will help with the gums

You really should use an electric toothbrush. Make sure it has soft bristles and use sensitive gum mode. Sonicare is good. Manually you won’t remove anywhere near as much plaque. Do you have a highly acidic diet or eat a lot of sugar? Diet can have an impact on bacteria in your mouth

Dental hospital advised listerine (the gum care one) and interdental brushes rather than floss.

Corsodyl will stain your teeth. Use an electric toothbrush - I’d be very surprised if that made your guns recede. Go to the hygienist more often. I have to go every three months because I get a lot of buildup.

Interdental brushes are better than floss especially when you get older as teeth get further apart.

Okay thanks guys. I'll try the electric toothbrush again. Maybe I just had a cheap one before.

If you buy some disclosing tablets from the Pharmacist , chew half a tablet thoroughly and then rinse around with water, it will guide you to where you are missing.
Blue stain indicates mature plaque; pink more recent ie
:in the last few hours.
Google 'modified bass technique' and follow that for toothbrushing. Interdentally, use Floss, tape or TePes depending on your space sizes. The hygienist should size up and advise you on this. Never rinse out after brushing-just spit.
It's all about mechanical plaque removal really- there is no mouthwash that will mechanically remove plaque.
Electric toothbrushes -@Waytooearly-have a look at the Oral B range-but nothing below the 2000 model. Approx £30+ will suffice. The toothbrush head on this range is close to ideal.

I wonder if hard water causes more plaque...

I second mouthwash. There's a daily corsodyl one that doesn't stain so much. And the little brushes are much better than floss