I visit a dentist twice a year who gives things the check n' clean. Ive gotten the clean bill of health so far. You all laugh because youve been taught that rubbing harsh brushes across tender gums and non-replaceable enamel is the way to go. Sorry, but I prefer liquid to squeeze around the corners and kill the bad guys.
I'm with AC here, sort of. I brush once a day, gently, with a soft brush. (I could use a toothbrush for three years without it showing wear -- Pedro's start to fray after 2 weeks, I think he brushes waaaaaaaay to hard.) Listerine (orange flavor!) and sugarless gum are friends of mine. I don't drink soda with sugar in it -- diet only. And I floss 2 - 3x/wk. I think that's the key to avoiding gum disease -- vigilant flossage. And I get complimented on my oral hygiene every time I go to the dentist -- about once every 2 years.
My brother-in-law's friend, who is a dentist, once told him that if he walked into a drugstore with a buck, and toothpaste and a toothbrush were $0.50 each and dental floss was $1, he'd buy the floss, no question. It's that much more important.
I have trouble with regular floss, so we get those
Reach Flossers for the back teeth. More expensive than a roll of store-brand floss, but cheaper than a root canal.