Professional dental cleanings and periodontal maintenance appointments are incredibly important, I would say vital to keep your teeth, but what happens between visits matters just as much. Consistent home care helps disrupt plaque and bacteria before they have the opportunity to cause ongoing inflammation around the teeth and gums.

If you have been diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontal disease, or simply want to improve your gum health, the right tools can help make home care more effective and easier to maintain. Electric toothbrushes, water flossers, floss, and interdental cleaners can all play an important role in reaching areas that are often missed with brushing alone.  

I have to note that true Periodontal Disease does need to be monitored closely. Please utilize seeing a Periodontist if it is has been recommended for you.  A Periodontist is a Dentist that specializes exclusively on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum disease. 

While many dental professionals would prefer to have you use string floss only, the actual best interdental cleaner is the one that you will use most frequently and accurately. There are many options today and I wish I could tell you which one is the best, but besides an electric toothbrush that benefits everyone when used correctly,  all the other options are best determined by trial & error.  Try some of these adjuncts and then ask your dental hygienist if you are correctly cleaning your mouth and if not, be sure your technique is correct, or try something else. You'll get it! 

Below are some of the tools and products I commonly recommend to help support healthier gums at home.