Should You Floss Before or After Brushing? (2024)

FAQs

Should You Floss Before or After Brushing? ›

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.

Once again, the ADA says that it doesn't matter what time of day you floss, as long as it gets done! Studies done in 2018 showed that if you floss before you brush your teeth, you can get a better clean. The floss helps loosen plaque and debris, making your brushing more effective.

It's an easy question to answer: daily. When you're flossing once per day, try to ensure your technique is effective at removing plaque between your teeth and below the gumline. If you have any problems, your dentist or dental hygienist can give you tips or suggest an alternative flossing device that will work for you.

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.

Since flossing is inexpensive and low-risk, the American Dental Association and most dentists still endorse daily flossing.

When oral hygiene is neglected, plaque buildup occurs. This leads to weakened tooth structure and cavities as well as inflamed gums. Excessive plaque buildup can take a while, and a cavity will not appear after one missed brushing and flossing session.

How Often to Floss. Plaque-creating bacteria take 4-12 hours to develop. So, flossing more than once a day really has no benefits unless you have something stuck in your teeth. Dentists warn that flossing more than once a day can cause serious damage to your gum tissue—if you are flossing the wrong way.

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.

Do dentists recommend mouthwash? ›

Protection for Dental Conditions: If you have certain dental concerns, such as a higher risk of decay or gum disease, then adding mouthwash to your regular routine can be an extra step to prevent future issues. Your dentist might prescribe specialized mouthwash as part of your at-home treatment plan.

A review of studies showed that, in general, electric toothbrushes do decrease more plaque and gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. After three months of use, plaque was reduced by 21 percent and gingivitis by 11 percent. Oscillating (rotating) toothbrushes seem to work better than just vibrating toothbrushes.

Conclusion. In a nutshell, flossing does not whiten your teeth but it keeps your teeth white by preventing plaque build-up which results in tooth decay or yellowing. In general, even whitening flossers don't bleach the enamel of your teeth but keep them clean and sparkling.

To ensure that you keep bacteria and plaque away, it is best to clean your tongue twice a day. A good rule of thumb is to brush or scrape your tongue right after you brush your teeth. Doing it before bed will help reduce the amount of bacteria able to grow, which reduces the chance of morning breath in the morning.