Flossing.

[Rbkhnmh]

So I’ll admit in the past I didn’t look after my teeth well, due to depression. So Ive ended up with gingervitis and awful plaque.

I went to the hygienist today and they removed it all out of my teeth. She also gave me some floss and the smallest interdental sticks going as my teeth have the tiniest gaps ever, but I’m massively struggling to floss the back ones and I’m worried if I don’t get to those im going to have gum disease forever and I really don’t want to go to the hygienist again as it killed me and my sensitive teeth are killing me now.

What else can I do to keep them clean especially the back ones where I just can’t reach.

I have the biggest fear of dentists, and my pain threshold is bad at the best of times, so having this done today has scared me, I really don’t fancy having it done again!

I used to despise having my teeth cleaned, it was like torture. The hygienist used to look at me like I was a loony !
Then one day a different one put local anaesthetic gel all over my teeth/gums and it’s been a revelation !
It’s on my records now that I have the gel, no need to keep asking.

OP, I was told I had gum disease last autumn and was read the riot act by my dentist. I flossed religiously for a while and it had settled right down by my follow up appointment.

Fast forward a few months and I'd got complacent with the flossing, and towards the end of lockdown my gums got really bad. I was terrified it had gone too far and I was going to lose my teeth etc!

Anyway, treated myself to a new Bluetooth toothbrush, got back to flossing, and used gengigel mouthwash daily. Managed to get a dentist appointment as soon as dentists reopened (about 2-3 weeks after starting my new regime) and they said my gums looked better than they did at my last check up!

So, be reassured that you can make really significant improvements to your gum health very quickly! It feels like slow progress at the start but being disciplined with it definitely pays off.

(Highly recommend gengigel btw, not cheap but great stuff!)

@NutellaEyes

2 things to add; interdental brushes can come as an L shape angle (see here: www.dentaldirect.co.uk/tepe-angle-interdental-brush.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1q7l8o-46wIVVrTVCh3mVQpjEAQYAiABEgInQPD_BwE ) which is easier for back teeth than the straight shaped ones and using a SATEN TAPE floss is far nicer and more comfortable than regular floss www.dentaldirect.co.uk/oral-b-satin-tape-25m.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi6mPoZC46wIVw-FRCh0Y9QTCEAQYBCABEgJwa_D_BwE . Waterpick is better than nothing but isn't as good as floss or interdental brushes.

What NutellaEyes and everyone else said. I usually buy a selection of the Tepe angled interdental brushes for the differently sized gaps but also buy the bamboo tooth picks. The angled brushes get right to the back of the wisdom teeth. Rinse well after each use - can be used a few times. Superdrug often have a 3for2 offer on dental stuff or I check out Boots offers or Amazon.

For sore gums try slooshing in warm salt water (also good for sore throats).

I additionally invested in a Phillips Diamondclean sonic toothbrush which leaves my teeth feeling dentist-clean. Expensive but look for offers. I "bought" mine a couple of years ago with Boots Advantage points but would pay with actual money when it finally stops working. Phillips replacement heads are expensive but I managed to get loads of replacement heads - each with its individual brushhead cover from Amazon much cheaper - and I prefer them as the non-Phillips brushes I bought cup each tooth better. Don't forget to clean the soft surfaces of your mouth (palette and sides). Also invest in a decent specific tongue brush to clean the tongue, especially the back of the tongue. It all sounds expensive (can be!) but cheaper than dental/hygienist visits overall and worth it to keep your teeth/mouth healthy.

Good luck! 🌹

I have very tight gaps and found the rubber interdental brushes are easier to get in between my teeth. These tepe ones are really good. I tried wisdom ones but they kept bending all the time but the tepe ones don’t at all
www.boots.com/boots-expert-dental-tepe-easypick-xsmall-small-10231947