It’s an age-old question and the topic of hot debate in some circles: Should you floss before or after brushing? It’s an age-old question and a topic of hot debate in dental circles.
As a general dentist in Winston-Salem, NC, it’s our responsibility to ensure that you have all the facts you need to maintain a healthy smile. The team at Pryor Dental will always share information with you that helps support your oral health goals.
The Benefits of Flossing Before You Brush
The answer to this burning question is that you should floss first, then brush. A recent study published by the American Academy of Periodontology assessed 25 patients in two phases.
In the first phase, they were asked to brush first, then floss. In the second, they were asked to floss first, then brush. The results showed that flossing before brushing significantly reduces the amount of plaque between teeth and in the mouth. Since flossing removes plaque, the fluoride in your toothpaste has more contact with your teeth and can better protect them over time.
Now that you know the facts and understand that the floss-then-brush sequence is ideal, here's the order of steps to follow:
Step 1: Floss and Clean Interproximal Spaces First
Interproximal refers to the spaces between teeth, which is where your oral hygiene routine starts. Oral hygiene aids like floss, interproximal brushes, Waterpiks, or water flossers all help to clean these hard-to-reach areas. The good news is that while you need to brush twice a day, you only need to floss once.
Step 2: Brush with Fluoridated Toothpaste
Ask Dr. Pryor, your dentist in Winston-Salem, for specific recommendations on which type of toothbrush you should use. Brush with a low-abrasive, fluoridated toothpaste and spit out the excess, but don’t rinse any residual coating of toothpaste off of your teeth.
Step 3: Finish with a Fluoridated Mouthwash Rinse
Follow your flossing and brushing with a rinse of fluoridated mouthwash. Swishing it around in your mouth for 30 seconds to one minute helps carry away residual plaque and bacteria lingering in your mouth.
Schedule Your Professional Teeth Cleaning in Winston-Salem
Our Winston-Salem dental office provides expert cleanings and exams to help you maintain the results of your at-home routine. If you have questions about which toothbrush, floss, or other oral hygiene aids to use, please call Pryor Dental to schedule your next teeth cleaning and dental exam.