I recently went to visit the dentist for a check up and scale and polish and received a bit of a telling off from the hygenist. She told me my teeth were in perfect condition but as for my gums - not so much. I had to admit I had not been flossing as regularly as I should have been, partly due to it being awkward. I had a brace a couple of years back and once it got taken off, I had a permanent retainer fitted on the back of my top teeth. This just consists of a very thin wire and does not bother me in any other way but makes it impossible to floss my top front teeth with normal dental floss.

She went on to recommend to me these interdental brushes. I bought the Boots 0.4mm (the smallest size available) which are the ones with the pink handles. They cost £2.99 for 6 and were also in a 3 for 2 offer across dental hygiene products. You simply pop the brush through the gap between your teeth near the gum and move it backwards and forwards to remove anything between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot catch. I find them really effective and actually started to use them on my bottom front teeth instead of dental floss also as they are easier to use in my experience. They are a bit tricky to use on your back teeth though.

I have noticed a difference as my gums used to bleed quite a lot when I brushed my teeth but now they don't bleed at all which means my gums are healthier! A must have for maintaining healthy gums, just make sure you clean the brush after use if you are going to reuse it.