Should I Floss or Brush First? (2024)

FAQs

Should I Floss or Brush First? ›

While it may be surprising, a study has found that flossing first followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is more effective in removing interdental plaque than brushing first, flossing second. In addition, flossing before brushing results in greater fluoride retention between teeth.

Flossing before brushing helps strengthen your tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. A straightforward two-step dental care routine can wipe out plaque and fortify teeth.

So sequentially flossing, using mouthwash and then brushing your teeth is the best order to follow for maximum results. But Dr. Catrise Austin, a dentist based in New York City, said she'd rather people regularly clean their teeth in any order than skip it because they don't know which order to follow.

“It's never too late to start flossing,” Richter told us, going on to say that flossing is just as important as any other element to your oral healthcare regime. “Flossing removes bacteria and food from between your teeth, which are areas where the bristles of your toothbrush can't reach,” Richter said.

Ideally, patients will floss at least once a day. The best time to floss is at night before bed and before you've brushed your teeth. It's important to floss before brushing, as brushing will help displace any of the substances you dislodge from between your teeth from your mouth.

When you're looking to protect your tooth enamel, brushing right after you wake up in the morning is better than brushing your teeth after breakfast. If you have to brush your teeth after breakfast, try to wait at least 30 minutes before you brush.

If not removed, it can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Flossing helps remove plaque from your teeth and gums, thus preventing these dental problems. This is why you should floss regularly at least twice each day because plaque can form quickly.

The Mayo Clinic recommends using mouthwash after brushing and flossing your teeth. However, the National Health Service (NHS) recommends avoiding mouthwash right after brushing, since this may wash away the fluoride from your toothpaste. Instead, the NHS recommends using mouthwash at a different time of day.

Your mouthwash is safe to use every day if the instructions recommend it. Mouthwashes can, however, be harmful if you use them more frequently than recommended. With that said, most mouthwashes can be used twice a day along with your regular oral hygiene routine.

Cosmetic mouthrinses can temporarily mask bad breath and provide a pleasing flavor, but do not have an effect on bacteria or VSCs. Mouthrinses with therapeutic agents like antimicrobials, however, may be effective for more long-term control of bad breath.

Is it better to use mouthwash in the morning or at night? ›

You only need to use mouthwash once a day, so you can choose the time you prefer, whether first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Either way is good!

The rinsing action of Waterpiks may not be enough to remove plaque completely from the surface of your teeth. Some people like to use string floss first to scrape off and loosen plaque. A Waterpik can then be used to efficiently rinse out residue and plaque left behind.

Because water flosser heads touch your mouth and stay wet, oral bacteria can grow on it. Even despite following the provided cleaning recommendations. That's not all, this study limited itself to studying only the nozzle, not the hose or water reservoir itself.

According to the American Dental Association, flossing is just as important as brushing in preventing gum disease and maintaining oral health. The optimal way to clean your teeth is by brushing and flossing twice a day – in the morning and also at bedtime.

Both should be done together. “Flossing and brushing isn't really an either/or equation for optimum health,” explains Ann Laurent, DDS, of Dr. Ann Laurent's Dental Artistry in Lafayette, Louisiana. “However, if you had to pick one, flossing is more important if done correctly,” she says.

Numerous studies from the last 50 years suggest that water flossers are more effective at removing biofilm from tooth surfaces and bacteria from periodontal pockets than string floss and manual toothbrushing, together or separately.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you clean between your teeth using floss, or an alternative interdental cleaner, once each day. But flossing incorrectly may cause damage. They also recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.