The age-old question – should you floss before you brush or after? If you ask this question to a number of dental professionals, you just might get a different answer from each one.
Before you report them for not knowing their stuff, each response can be right! As long as you’re doing a thorough job, it can be beneficial to floss before or after brushing.
THE CASE FOR FLOSSING BEFORE BRUSHING
Theoretically, flossing first dislodges the gunk between your teeth, letting the fluoride in your toothpaste reach those crevices better. Behavioral scientists also say since most people don’t like to floss; it is better to get the least-pleasant half of your dental routine out of the way first – you’ll be less likely to skip it. Once you have a minty, fresh mouth from brushing, you might be less inclined to feel the need to floss afterward.
THE CASE FOR FLOSSING AFTER BRUSHING
Some say flossing last is better because it clears your mouth from extra food and debris that could otherwise be carried by the floss into the very spaces you’re trying to clean out. Plus, it might be more pleasant to put those flossing hands into a clean mouth versus an unbrushed one.
BOTTOM LINE
Floss when it works for you. But make it a habit! Choose the same time every day, floss once a day, and floss thoroughly.
And don’t forget to use the right flossing method: for each new set of teeth, use a new section of floss, and hug each side of the tooth by dragging the floss upward in the shape of a “C.”
Want us to show you how? Call our office at (812)378-5500 to set up an appointment and ask about flossing techniques!
