Health & Fitness
Ask a Dentist: Should I floss before or after brushing my teeth?
Ever wonder which should happen first...flossing or brushing? Downers Grove dentist Dr. Eric Jackson sheds light on this often discussed topic.
Q: Should I floss before or after brushing my teeth?
A: A very common question! In general, a “Floss First” approach is generally recommended. By flossing first, you remove any large debris thereby allowing a good rechargeable toothbrush (Sonicare, Oral-B) access to the area in-between the teeth. Although strong, rechargeable toothbrushes often cannot dislodge large pieces...therefore I recommend “Floss First.” You might have voted for “after” because typically that what the dental hygienist does at your cleaning appointment. The difference is that during a dental hygiene appointment the large food debris, in addition to tartar/calculus, is removed by the metal hand instruments and the ultrasonic scaling unit. This is a far more comprehensive clean than a simple flossing. In addition, your hygienist likely flosses after polishing to help remove any residual polishing paste and send you home with that nice “clean” feeling.
In reality, very few people floss 1x/day as they should (only 5% according some studies). So even if you like flossing after brushing, you’re doing better than the 95% of people not flossing at all!
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Flossing technique is very important. See the link below for a quick review...
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If you would like to discuss this topic further, or have any suggestions for future topics, please feel free to contact me at my Downers Grove office.
Sincerely,
Eric G. Jackson, DDS, MAGD, FICOI, FADI
Oral Health Care Professionals, LLC
(630) 963-6750
www.OralHealthCareProfessionals.com
