Brush or Floss First? Here’s What You Need to Know to Make an Informed Decision

If you enjoy puzzles like “What came first? If you liked “The chicken or the egg?”, you’ll like this one: “Which should you do first, brush or floss?””

Both of these oral hygiene procedures are critical for removing dental plaque, which is a thin bacterial film that accumulates on teeth after eating. Plaque removal on a daily basis reduces your risk of developing dental decay or periodontal (gum) disease, the two leading causes of tooth loss. Brushing removes plaque from broad tooth surfaces, but flossing eliminates plaque between teeth where brushing cannot reach.

Brushing and flossing are widely accepted methods for thoroughly removing plaque. However, there is some disagreement on which of these two jobs should be completed first for the best results. Those debates are mostly amicable, but there are supporters on both sides of the issue of which duty should come first.

Brushing first, according to those on the “Brush First” side, removes the majority of accumulated plaque out of the way. If you floss first, you might be removing a lot of soft plaque, which can quickly transform your floss into a gunky mess. More significantly, you may be shifting plaque around with the floss rather of truly eradicating it. Brushing first ensures that there is less plaque to deal with when flossing.

“Floss First” advocates, on the other hand, claim that flossing before brushing loosens plaque lodged between teeth, allowing it to be brushed away more readily. However, there may be a more important psychological reason: People dislike flossing as much as they dislike brushing. As a result, putting anything off until the last minute may result in it not getting done; completing it first will assist ensure it gets done.

In the end, the order in which these duties are completed is a matter of personal preference. You can experiment with both methods to find which one works best for you. The crucial thing is that you do both chores; if you do, you can significantly reduce your risk of dental illness, which could lead to tooth loss.

If you would like additional information on proper oral hygiene, please contact us or schedule a consultation at Houston Dentists at Post Oak.