Brush or Floss First: Here is What You Need to Know
Posted on 2/7/2022 by Ronald Watkins
Both brushing and flossing are equally important for your oral health. They help remove plaque, the thin biofilm that adheres on the teeth after eating. It is crucial that you remove plaque daily to minimize the risk of having tooth decay and periodontal disease – the leading causes of tooth loss. Tooth brushing removes plaque from tooth surfaces, particularly the areas you can see. Flossing, on the other hand, removes plaque in between your teeth, especially in areas where the toothbrush cannot reach.
Which Should Come First? Flossing or Brushing
Often, there is a debate over what should be done first, between brushing and flossing. The debates are essentially good-natured; however, there are supporters of both sides. Those who say that we should brush first argue that brushing initially removes the bulk of the formed plaque. If you floss first, you are plowing through a junk of soft plaque, which may turn your floss into an unpleasantly sticky mess. Besides, flossing first may only be moving the dental plaque around with your floss rather than removing it. When you brush first, there is less plaque to handle when flossing.
On the side of floss first, the proponents say that flossing before you brush helps loosen the dental plaque stuck between your teeth to allow it to be easily brushed away. Also, when you floss first, you are not likely to avoid it as many people tend to focus on brushing and only floss occasionally. Making flossing your first step means that you will not forego it at the end.
The decision as to whether you floss first and brush after or vice versa boils down to your personal preference. Whichever order you do these two tasks is up to you. You can try the two ways to see which one works best for you. The most important aspect is to ensure that you do both tasks every day. Brush at least two times a day for about two minutes, and floss at least one time. This way, you greatly reduce your risk of having periodontal disease, cavities, and tooth decay. Find out more about brushing and flossing by contacting our periodontic team.
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Both brushing and flossing are equally important for your oral health. They help remove plaque, the thin biofilm that adheres on the teeth after eating. It is crucial that you remove plaque daily to minimize the risk of having tooth decay and periodontal disease – the leading causes of tooth loss. Tooth brushing removes plaque from tooth surfaces, particularly the areas you can see. Flossing, on the other hand, removes plaque in between your teeth, especially in areas where the toothbrush cannot reach.