We’ve all been there. We’re in the bathroom brushing our teeth and we think to ourselves, “I should be flossing too to protect my gum line.” But then we start to wonder: Should I do it before or after brushing? Flossing is an important part of your dental health and routine, so which is the right way? What is the perfect flossing sequence to keep your teeth clean and prevent tooth decay?
Brushing and flossing
Good dental hygiene involves more than just brushing your teeth. Brushing is one of the best ways to clean your teeth and keep them healthy, but it isn’t enough to prevent gum disease. It’s especially necessary to floss after brushing so that you don’t get cavities or bacteria between the two surfaces. Cleaning your gym line for interdental plaque reduction is essential.
Brushing your teeth is a great way to improve dental hygiene because it removes plaque and food debris. Flossing with dental floss works on the in-between spaces, and while brushing gets most of these areas, floss does a better job of reaching deep in between teeth to remove all the food there, both of these are important in a good oral hygiene routine.
Why should I floss before brushing?
The problem with brushing and flossing in that sequence is that food debris, plaque, and bacteria from between the teeth remain behind until the next time you brush and this helps in developing gum disease.
When you floss first and brush second, the bristles of your toothbrush will remove any flecks of food interspersed in your mouth. This reduces the chance that you’ll develop gum disease and helps with fluoride retention.
The fluoride in your toothpaste is also better able to do its job in protecting your teeth when particles are removed first.
Prevents gum disease
The debate over dentist best practices for oral hygiene has many moms torn. But one thing that is clear: Gum disease, or periodontal disease as it’s technically called, is an infection of the soft tissues and bones that support your teeth.
Gum disease occurs when there are too many bacteria on the surface of your teeth. Dental hygiene that includes brushing and flossing will decrease the risk of developing this condition.
What’s the best way to floss before brushing?
If you want to floss first, start by placing a few inches of dental tape between your thumbs as if it were an elastic band. Use this strip like a tiny bit and wrap it around each tooth in one direction only until there isn’t any left on either side. Gently use it to remove any plaque that’s stuck in the space.
Once you’ve flossed, brush your teeth from front to back with a circular motion and use only enough toothpaste for coverage without letting it run down the sides of your mouth or outside of your lips. Brush in an up-and-down pattern on each side before moving on to the other.
If you want to floss after brushing, wait until your toothpaste has dried and then start with a fresh piece of dental tape. Gently remove any plaque that’s stuck on each side before starting from one end again.
Is there really an answer?
We know it can be tough trying to figure out which way to floss. But the best way is whatever works for you!
The next time you’re thinking, “I should be flossing too,” don’t worry about which order to do it in: just get started and make sure you’re doing a good job at both brushing and flossing each day. Good dental hygiene includes using a fluoride mouthwash and using interdental brushes.
Signs of gum disease include:
- bad breath
- tooth decay
- swollen red gums
- bleeding gums
- loose teeth
- pain or sensitivity when biting, eating, or drinking hot foods and drinks.
These are all a sign that you need to see your dentist right away! Tooth brushing and using a fluoride mouthwash will help your tooth enamel and strengthen teeth. Follow these up with interdental brushes to help remove plaque buildup and always do a thorough job with your interdental cleaner. They are there to remove food stuck and remove food particles. Whilst an electric toothbrush is good at this, its important to do this alongside daily brushing to prevent plaque build up.
Plaque Removal
It’s important to floss and brush regularly according to the American Dental Association. Flossing before brushing can damage your toothbrush or hurt your gums, but it may be more effective at removing plaque from between teeth.
After brushing and flossing, don’t forget to spit out any remaining toothpaste in your mouth. You should not rinse your mouth after brushing, however. Many people have gotten the impression that they need to rinse their mouth with water or mouthwash after brushing for good oral hygiene. Rinsing your mouth after brushing washes away fluoride, which is found in many toothpaste formulas and is responsible for strengthening teeth.
If you use fluoride toothpaste that has been recommended by your dentist, prevention against cavities and other dental issues will always depend on how long the ingredients of the toothpaste stay on your teeth. One of the most common mistakes people make while brushing is rinsing with water immediately following. Even if your concern is about having too much toothpaste in your mouth, swish only about a teaspoon of water for seconds before spitting.
Does flossing make difference?
Yes, it does! A big difference.
Flossing gets rid of plaque and bacteria that brushing can’t reach. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva. If not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). Bacteria cause gum disease and tooth decay.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing at least once a day.
Flossing is easy to do and only takes a few minutes. The ADA shows how to floss the right way.
Start with 18 inches of floss, wrapped around your middle fingers. Use your thumbs and index fingers to guide the floss between your teeth. Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth. Use an up-and-down motion to clean the sides of your teeth. Be careful not to jab the floss down into the gums.
To clean behind your back teeth, hold the floss tightly against one tooth. Gently slide it into place. Use a gentle rubbing motion to remove plaque and bacteria.
Rinse your mouth with water after you floss to remove any loosened plaque and food particles.
If you have trouble handling dental floss, try an interdental cleaner — a small, pick-like tool that helps clean between teeth. Ask your dentist or hygienist which type is right for you.
What happens when you floss everyday?
You might be surprised to know that flossing can have a significant impact on your oral health. In fact, research has shown that flossing can help remove plaque from teeth, reduce gum inflammation on your gum line, and even prevent cavities. In a randomized controlled clinical trial it was proven that a mouthwash should be used after flossing then brushing.
Flossing can also help freshen your breath. When you remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth, you’re also getting rid of the bacteria that can cause bad breath. If you have persistent bad breath, flossing may be a helpful way to freshen your breath and keep your smile looking its best.
In addition to freshening your breath and keeping your teeth and gums healthy, flossing can also help you prevent cavities. By removing plaque and food particles from your teeth, you’re less likely to develop cavities in between your teeth.
Can Dentists tell if you floss?
The answer is yes and no. If you have good oral hygiene habits, your dentist can usually tell if you’ve been flossing regularly. However, if you don’t have good oral hygiene habits, your dentist may not be able to tell if you’ve been flossing at all.
So, while your dentist can’t always tell if you’ve been flossing, it’s still important to floss regularly. Flossing helps remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums, which can help prevent cavities and gum disease. So make sure to add flossing to your daily oral care routine!
Should I floss once or twice a day?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors. If you have braces or other dental appliances, you will need to floss more often. If you eat a lot of sugary foods, you will also need to floss more often. Generally speaking, though, most people only need to floss once a day.
There are a few different ways to floss. You can use traditional floss, which is a string that you wrap around your fingers. You can also use an electric flosser, which is a handheld device that uses batteries to vibrate the floss. Whichever method you choose, make sure to do it gently so you don’t damage your gums.
How long does it take to see results from flossing?
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to flossing. It’s just something that you’ve been told is good for you, so you do it (or at least try to do it) every day. But have you ever wondered how long it actually takes to see results from flossing?
The answer may surprise you – most people see results from flossing within a few days! Of course, the more diligent you are with your flossing routine, the faster you’ll see results. But even if you only floss once a day, you should start to see a difference in your oral health within a week or two.
So don’t wait – start flossing today and see the results for yourself!
What are Water Flossers?
Water flossers are a type of oral hygiene device that uses water to remove plaque and food debris from teeth. They are typically used in addition to brushing and flossing, and can be an effective way to clean hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Water flossers come in both countertop and handheld models.
Some tips for using a water flosser include:
- Start with the lowest setting and increase as needed.
- Hold the flosser tip against your tooth at a 90-degree angle.
- Gently move the tip back and forth in a sawing motion.
- Be sure to floss all sides of each tooth, including the back surfaces.
Take Away on Floss Before or after brushing?
There is a lot of debate in the dental community about whether it’s better to floss before or after brushing. While most dentists and oral hygienists agree that you should never use toothpaste while you’re flossing, there are some who say it’s best to brush your teeth first because fluoride can react with the plaque on the teeth, and make it more difficult to remove the plaque.
What’s best for you? The answer may be different from person to person depending on your oral health habits, your daily routine as well as how often you floss. Flossing helps alongside electric toothbrushes, cleaning your teeth and gums twice a day and interdental cleaning. All of this will keep your pearly whites teeth strong.
