Should I Floss before Brushing?

Flossing is a crucial part of practicing good dental care at home. For the best results, people should floss before brushing their teeth. Brushing last will remove any food particles that have been dislodged by the flossing action. To effectively clean the mouth and between the teeth it is important to use both the floss and toothbrush correctly.

Most people routinely brush their teeth every morning and evening. To reduce the risk of potential plaque build-up, brushing after meals may also be beneficial. While most people brush regularly, many forget or ignore the need to floss before brushing or even after. Failing to regularly clean between the teeth increases the risk of gum disease and future tooth loss. Flossing nightly, or at any time on a daily basis, is generally sufficient to help maintain a clean mouth and healthy gums.

The act of flossing loosens up food particles that have worked their way between the teeth and down toward the gum line. Bacteria that builds up between each of the teeth are also scraped off while flossing. When a person brushes after flossing he is effectively removing all traces of the bacteria and food debris from his mouth. In addition, learning to floss before brushing makes it easier for the fluoride in toothpaste to get between the teeth, increasing its effectiveness.

Knowing to floss before brushing is only the first step when it comes to properly cleaning between the teeth. Understanding how to use dental floss is just as important. The best method is to take a length of floss that is approximately 18 inches (45.72 cm) and work it between the teeth while holding the floss in a “C” or “U” shape. One should then carefully scrape up and down each tooth and under the gum line. The back teeth are often more difficult to reach, but should receive the same amount of attention as the rest of the mouth.

After flossing, a toothpaste containing fluoride is necessary to brush the teeth. A suitable toothbrush is one that is made of soft bristles. To remove all traces of debris, thoroughly brush over every surface in the mouth, including the front and back side of each tooth and the tongue. When the teeth have been flossed and brushed, rinsing the mouth should completely clear away any lingering traces of bacteria. This can be done using either water or an antiseptic mouth rinse.