Health & Fitness
Should You Brush or Floss First?
Simple questions many times don't have simple answers!
Why should you floss first?
Some dentists recommend flossing first because you can then brush away any plaque particles or food debris that have been removed by flossing.
Why should you brush first?
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Other dentists advise to brush your teeth first and then floss before you rinse, as you’ll pull some of the toothpaste between your teeth as you floss.
In case you were wondering, an ADA poll found the preference of the public being a tossup, 53% of Americans brush before they floss, while 47% floss before they brush.
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The best answer may be to utilize both strategies by first brushing, then flossing, followed up by another briefer brushing and a final rinse!
Nearly 70% of Americans brush their teeth at least twice a day, 40% floss at least once daily and 20% say that they never floss.
While flossing in addition to brushing may reduce gingivitis compared to toothbrushing alone, there is only “weak, very unreliable” evidence that flossing plus toothbrushing may be associated with a small reduction in plaque.
Flossing also helps to reduce cavities by removing food particles that can decay between the teeth.
The ADA recommends these five steps for a “flawless floss”:
1. Start with about 18 inches of floss. Wind most of it around one middle finger and wind the remaining floss around the middle finger of your other hand.
2. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
3. Guide the floss gently between your teeth using a rubbing motion. Do not snap the floss into your gums.
4. At the gum line, curve the floss using a “C” shape against your tooth. Slide the floss between the gum and tooth.
5. Hold the floss tightly against the tooth, gently rubbing the side with up and down motions. Repeat on the rest of your teeth, including the back side of your last tooth.
It’s recommended that children floss, too, as soon as they have two teeth that touch. Most children cannot floss well by themselves until the age of 10 or 11, so a parent will need to help younger children to floss.