Brushing and flossing matter, but so does the order in which you brush and floss your teeth.
A study by Fatemeh & Marzie (2018) showed that flossing followed by brushing is preferred to reduce interdental plaque and increase fluoride concentration in interdental plaque.
The plaque and debris are removed by flossing first. These loosened particles are more effectively washed away when you brush and rinse afterward, leaving your mouth healthier and cleaner. Now, let’s get into details…
Understanding the Importance of Dental Hygiene
Maintaining good oral health is important for both your mental and physical health. It includes regular visits to the dentist as well as daily brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use.
Practicing good dental hygiene will help you avoid dental problems, reduce your risk of gum disease, keep your breath fresh, and leave you feeling better and more confident.
The role of dental hygiene in preventing oral diseases
Poor oral hygiene can lead to various dental problems, the most common being tooth decay and gum disease. If plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, is not regularly cleaned from teeth, it can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Frequent brushing and flossing help with avoiding many of these conditions by decreasing the formation of plaque.
The impact of dental hygiene on overall wellbeing
The oral cavity is like a window to your overall health. It has a direct effect on one’s general health; studies have connected poor oral hygiene to many systemic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory infections.
Studies show a close connection between systemic disorders and poor dental hygiene.
Systemic disorders like Diabetes, respiratory infections, and heart problems have all been related to gum disease. Prioritize good proper oral hygiene to improve your general health as well as to protect your teeth and gums.
Flossing Before Brushing
The benefits of flossing before brushing
Flossing before brushing has multiple benefits for optimal dental health
- Improved plaque removal: Flossing removes food particles and plaque from between teeth where toothbrushes cannot get to them. This plaque layer can be loosened up by flossing before brushing, making it easier for your toothbrush to get rid of it.
- Improved distribution of fluoride: After flossing, Fluoride from toothpaste can more easily reach the freshly cleaned tooth surfaces. This increases dental enamel strength and protects against cavities.
- Reduced inflammation of gums: Flossing helps in the disruption of harmful bacteria and reduces inflammation of the gumline. flossing before brushing will reduce the spread of bacteria and encourage healthier gums.
- Fresh breath: Flossing combined with brushing gets rid of bad breath by removing bacteria and food particles responsible for it, leaving your mouth feeling and smelling cleaner. Prioritize flossing before brushing to maximize the effectiveness of your oral hygiene routine and contribute to long-term dental health.
The potential drawbacks of flossing before brushing
Although there aren’t any significant disadvantages to flossing before brushing, some people might find it hard or uncomfortable at first. However, flossing gets easier with practice, and the advantages far outweigh any minor difficulties.
Expert opinions on the effectiveness of flossing before brushing
Studies and dental professionals both recommend flossing before brushing. ADA (American Dental Association) recommends flossing at least once a day to get rid of food particles and plaque in between teeth. You’re taking a proactive approach to maintaining good oral hygiene while preventing dental problems when you make flossing your daily practice before brushing.
How to Include Flossing into your daily routine?
Flossing is a crucial part of oral hygiene routines, but most Americans have not incorporated it. According to ADA, only 16% of people floss at least once a day, 20% floss only if something is stuck in their teeth, and 8% never floss.
Over half of those who don’t floss daily claim it takes a lot of time. However, brushing and flossing will improve oral hygiene and provide an additional defense against tooth decay.
To develop the habit of flossing, decide on a fixed time to floss every day, such as in the morning, after lunch, or at night. Keep the floss next to toothpaste and toothbrush, to act as a reminder not to skip the step.
Floss daily before brushing for at least one week, and set a goal to repeat it for the next week. When you get into a consistent habit, you won’t even need to think about it anymore.
The advantages of flossing after brushing
Some people have the habit of flossing after brushing.
Convenience: Brushing often removes debris and visible food particles, making flossing feel easier and maybe less messy.
Habitual Routine: Since it’s an already formed habit, people might find this sequence more comfortable and natural.
The potential disadvantages of flossing after brushing
Less Successful Removal of Plaque: While brushing removes the layer of plaque on the outer surfaces of teeth, it leaves behind food particles and plaque that stay stuck in between teeth. Some of the particles removed while brushing might go unseen by flossing after brushing.
Less benefit of Fluoride: Flossing before brushing helps fluoride from toothpaste’ reach the freshly cleaned surfaces of your teeth more effectively Flossing after brushing might cause you to miss out on these fluoride benefits
Conclusion
The debate over flossing before or after brushing has been age-old. Experts recommend including brushing and flossing in your regular dental hygiene routine, for optimal plaque removal.
Be it flossing before brushing or brushing before flossing, the constancy of both habits is more important than the order in which they are done. Flossing is an essential part of dental care that should be done regularly to avoid cavities, gum disease, and poor breath.
