Daily flossing is an important part of a regular oral hygiene routine, but if you’ve already succeeded in fitting it into your schedule every day, then you may wonder if the order really matters. Truth be told, your dentist is probably just happy that you’re doing it, as inter dental cleaning is vital to removing sugars and other food scraps from the hardest to reach places in your mouth. However, there does appear to be a slight advantage to flossing prior to brushing.
Why floss first?
There are actually two reasons to consider flossing before you brush. First, you should remember that flossing releases food particles, sugars, and a host of bacteria into your mouth. If you’ve already brushed, then some of those particles will stay in your mouth, undermining your efforts. For this reason, you should rinse after flossing, preventing yourself from swallowing any particles dislodged during the process and then brush, removing anything that has re-attached to the surface of your teeth.
Second, a study published in 2018 by the Journal of Periodontology found that flossing first and brushing second maximized the effects of fluoride toothpaste. By comparing people who flossed first to those who flossed second, researchers found that, while there was no statistically significant difference in marginal plaque, there was a marked difference in the fluoride concentration of the interdental plaque who flossed prior to brushing. Their research indicates that flossing first has the potential to decrease a person’s likelihood of developing periodontal disease over their lifetime.
There are some who contend the opposite, suggesting that it is better to floss after your mouth has been exposed to the fluoride in your toothpaste, but the current evidence and majority of dental professionals dispute the efficacy of this claim. Rather, in addition to suggesting that flossing first may be marginally better, dental professionals are increasingly urging patients to skip one step that is typical to almost everyone’s morning dental hygiene ritual.
Skipping the rinse
Rinsing your mouth out after a good, long brushing can feel incredibly refreshing. However, Healthline reports, that rinsing your mouth after brushing could be damaging your efforts if you use a fluoride toothpaste in lieu of treated water. You see, the whole point is to allow the fluoride to coat the teeth for as long as possible. As Mary Hayes of the American Dental Association explained to Scientific American, fluoride “reduces the solubility of enamel in acid” while “promot[ing] the remineralization of tooth enamel in areas that have been de-calcified by acids.” In laymen’s terms, fluoride protects your teeth from being eroded by acidic compounds and helps patch the tooth up where minor damage has occurred.
If you rinse your mouth out immediately after brushing, then you wash the fluoride away before it has had an opportunity to do its job. Instead, simply spit out any excess toothpaste. It may take a couple of times, but you want to preserve that thin coating of fluoride on your teeth protection that will last until your next meal. Then, if you are able, brush again. Although the American Dental Association suggests brushing twice a day, it is ideal to brush after every meal, preventing acids from harming your teeth during the day. Therefore, when you wake up tomorrow, start with your normal flossing habit, progress to brushing, and spit instead of rinsing.
If you have any questions about your daily, oral hygiene routine or other concerns about your oral health, then don’t hesitate to make an appointment at Jesmine Boghawala DDS. Jesmine Boghawala, DDS. will be happy to review the current state of your dental health and advise you on the best treatment plans to protect your health and your smile.
