Have you ever wondered if you should floss before you brush? As children, we are usually taught that brushing comes before flossing. This is one of the reasons why many people don’t floss. After brushing, the mouth feels clean and when the mouth feels clean, flossing feels like an option, not a requirement.
A recent study found that flossing before brushing loosens bacteria and allows your toothbrush to remove plaque more easily. In the study, it was demonstrated that those who flossed before they brushed ended up with less plaque on their teeth in comparison to those who brushed and then flossed.
Brushing twice a day is not enough
Our teeth have five surfaces. Brushing only cleans three of these five surfaces. We need floss to clean the surfaces between our teeth, and if we fail to do this, our gums will not remain healthy. This is because the bacteria that causes gingivitis will be allowed to flourish between our teeth, causing inflammation and bad breath.
Flossing before brushing also has the added benefit of keeping more fluoride in your mouth after you’ve finished brushing. Fluoride is a natural mineral that protects teeth against decay and reduces the levels of acid produced by bacteria on your teeth. Using toothpaste with fluoride is an essential part of good oral health, but this is not all that is needed.
Take care of your overall health
Taking care of your mouth is about more than having a beautiful smile. Looking after our oral health with brushing, flossing, and keeping our diet low in sugar cannot be overstated. Good oral health is connected to a range of physical health outcomes such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. There are some studies that suggest improving your oral health also improves your overall physical health.
Another important part of good oral health is regular dental visits. Call today and make an appointment or fill out our contact form and click send.