Medical Insider–Dr Rhoda entero
All that we need to know about Flossing
(Part 3)
This is part 3 of our discussion on Dental Flossing.
Why Is Flossing Before Brushing Better Than Brushing Before Flossing?
Some people brush before they floss. It’s certainly better than brushing or flossing alone. It’s even much better than leaving your mouth to form plaque and tartar.
Flossing Requires Brushing: Any food, plaque, and bacteria released by flossing requires brushing. When you brush, the brush won’t touch the interdental areas. When you floss, they make a mess that requires cleaning.
Finish Cleaning with Brushing: You finish cleaning by brushing after flossing. Flossing removes the large bits of film and debris. The toothbrush washes them all away, along with gargling mouthwash.
Reverse Sequence is Not as Effective: You have less dental plaque in your mouth when you floss first then brush second. You have more dental plaque in your mouth if you floss second, because brushing usually doesn’t remove that hidden plaque the first time.
Interdental Plaque Removal: It’s the interdental plaque removal that’s important when it comes to flossing before brushing with fluoride toothpaste. If you brush first then floss, you’re just letting the bacteria escape with belated flossing.
Lower Your Risk of Gum Disease: You’re less likely to develop gingivitis if you floss before you brush. It can also help to floss after you brush, but the preferred method is doing it before brushing.
Particle Removal is a Must for Fluoride: According to a 2018 study, particles should be removed first in order for the fluoride in your toothpaste to work better when it comes to protecting your teeth.
Should You Floss Before or After Brushing? You should floss and brush in tandem to keep your teeth clean. Remove debris by flossing and most of the plaque then brush away the remnants without brushing too hard on the enamel.
More Than Keeping your Breath Smelling Fresh: Hygiene doesn’t only prevent halitosis but also makes sure you’ll have all your teeth intact when you’re older because plaque can destroy your teeth and gums when left unimpeded.
Keep That Fluoride In: Brushing after flossing allows your fluoride toothpaste to pack that fluoride in your interdental and dental areas. On the other hand, flossing after brushing your teeth rubs some of that fluoride out.
To reiterate, you floss before you brush to remove interdental plaque, wash away released bacteria, and retain a greater amount of fluoride between teeth spaces when push comes to shove. (To be continued)