Brushing and Flossing: Does the Order You Do Them in Really Matter?
You know you should brush twice per day and floss at least once per day, but if you are one of the many people who wonder if the order of operation matters, then you are in luck. Keep reading to find out whether you should floss or brush first – or if it really matters. Make sure to contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 if it has been more than six months since your last dental cleaning and exam.
Spoiler Alert: It Doesn’t Matter Much
The truth is that there are minor advantages to brushing before you floss, but there are also minor advantages to flossing before you brush. While we will go over both options and the advantages of each, we want to stress that the most important thing is that you are brushing and flossing consistently. If you are doing so, then the order of operations is not very important.
Advantages of Flossing Before Brushing
When you decide to floss first, you start off by getting rid of all the debris between your teeth. That debris can cause plaque to build up, so it is great for your oral health to get rid of it. When you do that before you brush, then it is easier for the fluoride in your toothpaste to get between your teeth. However, this only makes a small difference. If you feel you need as much fluoride as you can get, then you can choose to floss before you brush your teeth.
Advantages of Brushing Before Flossing
When you brush first, you get rid of all the debris on your teeth so that all the floss needs to do is get rid of the debris between your teeth. That said, you might miss some. If you floss first, you could end up pushing any missed gunk back in between your teeth. This could actually contradict the advantages of flossing.
Instead, if you brush first, you will be moving any “leftover” debris when you floss afterward. Once again, we are talking about tiny particles that make a minor difference. However, most people brush first and floss later, so if you are already used to this, then that can be another reason to stick with what is making sense for you.
Do You Need Help with Brushing and Flossing?
Are you afraid that you might not have the most effective at-home oral health care system? If so, be sure to let us know the next time you visit California Dental Group. Your dental hygienist can go over all the options for you and make sure that you have the best possible technique. We look forward to your call at (800) 407-0161 to set up an appointment.
