Thorough daily cleaning of the areas under the gumline and between teeth is important for preventing gum disease. There are a wide variety of techniques for performing this type of oral care, and a dentist or hygienist can recommend the most effective one for your specific situation.

Some techniques may seem awkward or unfamiliar at first, but all of them are easily learned with practice.

Typical Users: Everyone (a variety of flosses are available for special conditions).

Description of Dental Floss and Tape: Dental floss and tape are made of round or flat, extra-strong, coated nylon fiber. They are used for removal of plaque and bacteria from between teeth and below the gumline.

Procedure: Take about 18 inches of floss or tape, and wrap it around your middle fingers until you have a one-inch length between them. Guide the floss gently and carefully between upper and lower teeth, using a back-and-forth motion. Avoid "snapping" the floss against delicate gum tissue. Curve the floss around each tooth in a "C" shape, and gently guide it up and under the gumline. Move it up and down the side of each tooth to remove plaque. Use a new section of floss for each tooth.*

Typical Users: People who have periodontal disease, or whose teeth have wide spacing or appliances (such as braces, bridges or implants).

Description of Interdental Brush: This brush has a long narrow handle that is used with an extra-fine-bristled, cylindrical or tapered brushhead. It is designed for removing plaque from between teeth along the gumline.

Procedure: For each interdental space, or space between a tooth and a dental appliance, insert the brushhead and use a back-and-forth motion to remove plaque and food particles. If space permits, improve cleaning by gently rotating the brush. Replace the brushhead when bristles become worn.*

Professional Recommendations: Depending on the size of your interdental spaces, the condition of your gums and whether or not you have dental appliances, your dental professional may recommend an Oral-B Interdental Brush. Special Oral-B Soft Foam brushheads are available for post-surgical patients and those with sensitive tissue, implants or the need to apply medicaments (such as antibiotics and fluoride solutions).

Typical Users: People whose teeth have fixed dental appliances (such as bridges, braces or implants).

Description of SUPER FLOSS: This multipurpose floss has three sections: a stiffened end for easy threading under appliances, spongy floss with which to clean around appliances and in wide spaces, and regular floss for cleaning around natural teeth and under the gumline. (Toothpaste, fluoride or an antibacterial agent can be used on the spongy floss section.)

Procedure: Use the stiffened end to thread the spongy floss through a space between a tooth and an appliance, or a wide space between teeth. Then move the spongy floss back and forth with a gentle sawing motion to clean the area. If you have a bridge, use a gentle sideways action to insert floss and to clean between the bridge and the gum. Excessive force or using a sawing action to insert floss can dislodge the bridge or damage gum tissue.

Lastly, pull the spongy-floss section through to the regular floss section, and gently insert it under the gumline. Curve floss around tooth, and use an up-and-down motion to remove plaque. (The regular floss section may be used on all natural teeth in the same manner as regular dental floss.) Interdental cleaning procedures should be performed at least once a day, or as often as your dental professional recommends.

Typical Users: People who require an alternative to dental floss.

Description of Woodstick: A triangular-shaped stick made of wood, used to clean between teeth and along the gumline.

Procedure: Moisten stick with saliva. Then, for each space between teeth, insert it with the flat edge next to the gumline. Use a gentle in-and-out motion to clean plaque from between teeth. Also run the tip gently along the gumline to remove additional plaque. Use a new woodstick for each cleaning session.*

Once you've decided on a method for cleaning between your teeth, use it on a daily basis along with brushing. This is your best protection against gum disease, and the surest way to "keep your teeth for life."

Ask your dentist or hygienist for more information or assistance.