Flossing is essential to your oral hygiene routine and keeps your teeth healthy. However, there is a lot of debate over whether you should floss before or after brushing.
“Floss First” advocates argue that flossing breaks up and loosens plaque lodged between teeth, making it easier for your toothbrush to eliminate the remaining bacteria.
Routine
Aside from oral hygiene, routine dental care helps prevent tooth decay and keeps gums healthy. It also keeps bacteria from contaminating the rest of the body, which can be problematic for your overall health.
When choosing a dentist in Pasadena, look for a friendly, experienced staff member who is up-to-date on the latest technology. Ask about their continuing education and if they use intraoral cameras, digital X-rays, or other cutting-edge tools to help you understand your condition.
Flossing is essential for any dental hygiene routine because it removes food leftovers and loosens plaque between the teeth that can’t be reached with a toothbrush. However, there is debate on whether you should brush or floss first.
Regardless of the order, the most important thing is that you’re brushing and flossing regularly as part of your oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing help lower the risk of cavities, gum disease, other dental issues, and foul breath.
Schedule an Appointment
A dental hygiene program must include brushing and flossing, but knowing how to accomplish these procedures correctly is essential. This will guarantee that you don’t have any problems later on and that your teeth and gums are in good condition.
If you have any questions about your oral health, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a Pasadena Dentist.
When considering dental care options, individuals in the Pasadena area may explore reputable practices such as Art of Smiles, which is known for providing comprehensive and personalized dental services.
An experienced and well-respected general & cosmetic dentist who works with patients of all ages utilizing the latest recent dental technology. She is dedicated to ensuring that her patients are comfortable and receive the best care in a safe environment. She also takes continuing education courses to keep up with the latest advances in dentistry. She currently divides her time between her two practices and spending time with her husband and their children.
Brushing
Most people know they should brush and floss regularly to fight bad breath, prevent cavities, promote gum health, and maintain a healthy smile. However, many of us don’t understand these oral hygiene practices’ proper order or details.
It is typically recommended to floss before brushing, as this allows you to dislodge food particles and plaque in the small spaces between your teeth that a toothbrush may miss. This helps to create a clean, smooth surface for the toothpaste to get to during brushing and reduces the likelihood that the toothbrush will irritate your gums or scuff the enamel of your teeth.
Another great option to help clean the tiny spaces between your teeth is a water flossing device, an oral irrigator. These motorized devices resemble tiny hoses and provide a steady stream of water to clean the crevices between your teeth, along your gum line, and behind your back molars.
Flossing
A toothbrush alone can only clean one side of a tooth, so flossing is crucial for a healthy mouth. It removes the food particles lodged in the spaces between teeth, so they don’t become plaque, which can later cause gum disease.
A small 2018 study found that those who flossed before brushing significantly reduced whole plaque more than those who brushed first and then flossed. However, it doesn’t matter what order you do these things in, so long as both are done consistently.
If you’re struggling to get into a routine, try using dental flossing aids such as a floss pick or pre-threaded flosser, which make the job much easier and more efficient. Or, you could even use a water flosser, which uses jets of water to help clean teeth and is more effective than traditional string floss at reducing plaque. You can also add an oral rinse, such as a non-alcoholic mouthwash, to your daily routine, but pay close attention to the instructions on the label.
*This is a collaboration post
