Dentists recommend brushing and flossing as part of a good oral hygiene routine, which many people understand. Some patients, on the other hand, are unsure about the finer points, such as what order they should be completed or whether one is more important than the other. Our Parksville dentists discuss brushing and flossing in great detail today.
"Should I brush my teeth first or floss first?" is a question you might have had before beginning your daily oral health care routine. Our Parksville dentists hope to resolve this issue in this post. The first step is to discuss the importance of brushing and flossing, as well as the benefits of each practice.
Reasons to Brush
Brushing one's teeth has no shortage of reasons; it is one of the first lessons in cleanliness that many children learn. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is recommended by us. Brushing cleans our teeth and removes plaque and bacteria that can be harmful to our oral health. Brushing effectively cleans both the surfaces of our teeth and our gums when done correctly.
Brushing twice a day helps by keeping teeth and gums clean, limiting the buildup of harmful bacteria and; ideally, preventing gum disease and tooth decay. This routine complements your regular visits to the dentist for dental cleanings and exams.
Reasons to Floss
Flossing is beneficial because it cleans areas of the mouth that brushing does not always reach. Flossing is recommended to keep the spaces between our teeth and just below the gum line free of bacteria and plaque. As a result of flossing's assistance in keeping our mouths clean, we may experience fewer health complications and have a better overall experience when it comes to maintaining good oral health.
We recommend flossing at least once a day. Oral hygiene care is largely about routine and habit, so we also recommend leaving your floss somewhere clearly visible, forming an imperishable bond in your mind between the act of brushing and the act of flossing. Where one comes to mind, so should the other, to ensure the entirety of your teeth receive the care they require.
Should you brush or floss first?
We recommend flossing before brushing your teeth. What is most important is that you always do both in accordance with your dental care routine.
We recommend flossing first due in large part to the possibility of flossing to loosen bacteria and food debris both on and between our teeth. This can make brushing more successful at removing food particles.
Another benefit applies if you use toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride is a compound of fluorine with another element or group, and it helps keep teeth clean. If you floss after brushing, it is more likely to remove the fluoride in your toothpaste, which might make it less effective.
When it comes to maintaining an excellent standard of oral health care, we should always try our hardest, and small changes can have a big impact on our dental care routines. One of those small changes could be brushing after flossing. If you've been flossing after brushing, we recommend doing the opposite and flossing before brushing.