Have I done something good or bad for my teeth?

[Thesouthernwindisblowing]

Hi. I visited a hygienist a few months ago and was meant to go back but haven't had the money to yet. Also meant to buy an expensive electric tooth brush but haven't for same reason.
My gums bled when I had them cleaned by her and I was advised to use interdental brushes as well as flossing. I have done this everyday.
When I started using the brushes I struggled to get them in between the gaps but now I can do this no problem apart from very front ones for which I use a stick type thing. The bleeding has also stopped. The very back teeth took quite a while to stop bleeding and hurting but now it's quick and painfree.

I have now had a panic though reading about widening gaps and gum disease. Have I created healthier gums which were previously swollen hence much larger gaps now to brush in between of have I caused myself problems by being too forceful using the brushes and given myself gaps due to receding gums???

Don't worry as long as you have no bleeding. That is the most important thing.

No. No bleeding anymore. One of my back teeth is a little tender still when using a brush but much better than it was. The wider spaces are the concern for me.

As a dentist I would suspect that you have larger gaps as you have resolved the inflammation. Home care is the critical factor in treating gum disease. You can spend thousands on professional treatment, but it will be nearly pointless without good oral hygiene. I suspect if you go back to the hygienist you will be in receipt of a big pat on the back!

Thank you. How important is it to buy an expensive electric brush?

You need to buy a sonic toothbrush, not just an ordinary electric one. They make a huge difference and will improve gum health too.

If you dislike using floss, get a waterpic. These are very good too.

The evidence suggests that an electric tooth brush will reduce inflammation and maintain gum health better than a manual one. There is little actual evidence for sonic over rotation-oscillation (the Braun-OralB type). They are however nicer to use. Never pay full price though!!!! Keep an eye out for offers at Boots.

Floss will clean below the gum line if used properly. The water pik will do too to a certain extent (I recommend the one made by Sonicare). Brushes do not clean below the gum line, but they do remove debris from large gaps better than anything else. So annoyingly, once you have big gaps you need to use both.

Wait and buy one from boots when they are half price. They do that offer a couple of times a year.

My dentist told me that flossing etc gets a lot easier as its usually v old compacted food that is the reason why you can't get in between teeth