Should You Floss Before or After You Brush Your Teeth?

Charlotte Toothbrush Health In addition to brushing your teeth before going to bed (or even after every meal!) flossing is an essential step in protecting your teeth and gums from harmful plaque and bacteria. But while it may be well known that you should floss your teeth at least once a day, one of the most common questions when it comes to flossing is “Should I floss before or after brushing my teeth?” At the Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Broome and his team of experts offer a wide range of general and cosmetic dental services to help prevent and reverse the effects of poor dental health. It is strongly recommended that you schedule regular check ups and cleanings in addition to daily at-home care for the best chance at a clean, bright smile.

To Floss First or Second?

The most beneficial time to floss is before brushing your teeth. Flossing helps loosen and extract plaque build up and bacteria between the teeth, especially along the gums, allowing your toothbrush to scrub away the harmful materials while also spreading cavity-fighting toothpaste into those hard-to-reach areas that have been cleared out. However, the most important thing to remember about flossing is to simply do it every day, whether before brushing your teeth, first thing in the morning, or after every meal. It does not matter whether you think there is food stuck between your teeth – flossing helps prevent gum disease and cavities by getting rid of plaque. So, do not look for excuses! In many ways, flossing is more essential for your dental health than brushing!

Top Tips for Flossing Correctly

According to the American Dental Association, the best way to thoroughly floss is:
  • Unravel at least 18 inches of dental floss and wrap both ends around each middle finger, allowing enough space to reach into your mouth.
  • Hold the floss firmly and gently slide it into place between each tooth in a rubbing motion, making sure to avoid snapping it down onto the gums.
  • With the floss along the gum line, gently pull the floss to form a C-shape when rubbing it up and down to reach the sides of each tooth as well.
  • Repeat with each tooth and move up the string of floss to ensure that you use only fresh sections of floss.
  • Do not forget to floss behind the very last molars where the most bacteria likes to hide!

Make An Appointment at the Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry!

If you would like stronger, cleaner teeth for a bright confident smile, make an appointment with Dr. Broome today! Call (704) 364-4711 or by make an appointment online. We can help you get a professionally whiter smile and healthier gums. Next, here are 5 more quick tips to improve your dental routine.