Periodontal disease not only causes tooth loss - researchers have also linked it to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, and premature birth. Conversely, researchers are making the connection that these diseases can make an individual more susceptible to periodontal disease.

If you keep your mouth clean, it's very hard for the bacteria that causes periodontal disease to get started. You'll also reap other benefits - fewer fillings, healthier gums and a brighter smile.

We've always known that a little prevention goes a long way, but we used to think of it in terms of avoiding cavities and things like that. Now it seems that by using your toothbrush and your floss, you might also be preventing much more serious health problems down the road.

You can ask your dentist or hygienist what size/s they would recommend. Alternatively, you can often buy a variety pack with one of each size so you can experiment to see what size fits most comfortably into the various spaces you have in your mouth. Insert the smallest size first and keep using a bigger size until the brush fits snugly between the teeth without forcing it. This allows for a thorough cleaning action and suppresses the gum from growing up excessively in between your teeth.

Periodontal disease can painlessly destroy the bone between and around your teeth, whilst the gum on the outside remains at the existing height. This creates an invisible space where plaque and dangerous bacteria can be sheltered from the cleaning action of your normal toothbrush. These areas are called periodontal pockets. Many people have these invisible pockets or gaps between their gum and tooth. Normally the gap between the tooth and the gum is 2-3mm deep. If periodontal disease sets in that can increase to 5 or 6mm and at this point it usually becomes self degenerating.

Ask your dentist if a simple, often nearly painless procedure should be performed which involves removal and re-contouring of small amounts of gum (a ‘gingivectomy' or a ‘papillectomy'). This will open up the plaque trap and enable you to get an interdental brush into the area which was previously impossible to clean. Use the biggest one you can comfortably get into the gap. You will be amazed by the improvement in the condition of your gums that will follow.

Piksters interdental brushes have the following advantages:

• Strong, stiff, plastic coated wire. If you have used interdental brushes before you may notice a difference in the way Piksters do not buckle or bend as much as some. 
• Nylon 612 filaments on most sizes. This is the highest grade of nylon filament available and as a result many patients report that the brushes last longer. 
• Economically priced. Piksters sometimes cost about half to one quarter the price of other well known brands, depending on the country and market.