Should I Brush Or Floss First?

Everybody has been told to brush their teeth twice a day, but do you actually do it? Flossing and brushing your teeth daily is extremely important, but most people don’t realize it.

It is not just cavities that can be caused by a lack of proper oral care routine, but rotting of the teeth can also happen. We all know the importance of brushing and flossing our teeth but despite this, many people do not pay much attention to the order in which they floss and brush their teeth.

Well most of us think that as long as we are brushing and flossing our teeth regularly it should be enough. But that’s not the case anymore. To brush and to floss your teeth is one thing but to do it in proper order is another. 

So, to get to know how you can make your oral care routine more effective just by changing the sequence of things, keep on reading!

Both are equally important!

Before jumping onto what step to do first let us make one thing clear: both brushing and flossing your teeth are equally important. 

It is common for food particles to get stuck in our teeth on a daily basis. In addition, smoking and drinking too much coffee also harms our teeth and makes them dull. Keeping your teeth clean and white can be as simple as brushing your teeth twice a day.

While toothbrushes can reach many of the small particles between teeth, they cannot reach all of them. But the small debris can be easily removed using dental floss. And it will result in bad breath, rotting teeth, unhealthy gums, etc. if you don’t do the same. 

So, it is important to keep in mind that you can not rely on either one. Because both processes together will improve your oral health. 

When should you floss your teeth- before or after brushing? 

Here we have illustrated some of the reasons which shows why it is good to floss your teeth before brushing: 

• By flossing first, you’re less likely to skip it later or leave it altogether.
• When you floss first, plaque between your teeth is broken up so that you can easily clean it with the help of your toothbrush.

Apart from these two things, there is a more scientific reason for the same. Flossing first is associated with significant advantages according to a study published in The Journal of Periodontology. The study found that total plaque was reduced and fluoride concentrations between teeth increased significantly with such usage.

The most important thing is to have a dedicated oral care routine, as most dentists agree on that. Flossing, however, is a great place to begin if you want to go by the latest study.

However, you should always check with your dentist before making any changes to your oral care routine. 

How to do it properly?

Now that you know why you should floss before brushing your teeth. Let us see the correct way of doing it: 

Dental floss is often purchased with the goal of using it regularly, but after a few weeks, people stop using it or fail to use it properly. It just takes a couple of minutes to wrap the ends of about 18 inches of this thread around a finger on each hand and you are ready!

Next, move it gradually between the teeth, holding it in place as you clean every section. You may experience a little bleeding the first couple of times as your gums adjust to the floss. As a final suggestion, floss before and after meals, or even before or after brushing.