Should You Brush or Floss First?

We encourage our patients to brush twice a day and to floss last thing at night so you go to sleep with teeth that are as clean as possible, but we often get asked if it is better to brush or floss first. Some people think it is better to floss first because food and plaque trapped in between the teeth is loosened and can then be brushed away. Others argue the opposite. This is because brushing leaves some fluoride on your teeth which is then pushed in between your teeth during flossing, providing a little extra protection.

Developing a Regular Oral Hygiene Routine

The most important thing is to do what you most feel comfortable with and to develop a regular routine. One common mistake is to regard flossing as being supplemental or less important than brushing. Both are equally important and the contact areas in between teeth account for approximately a third of your tooth surfaces that will remain dirty if you fail to regularly floss. If you frequently find you forget to floss after brushing then perhaps it might be better to floss first.

We love helping our patients improve their oral care routine so please ask us for help and advice during your next visit.