If you’re a good student of positive oral health habits, you know that there are certain things you need to do as part of your regular routine. At the top of the list, of course, are brushing and flossing. But, do they have to be done in that order, or can you floss first? Is there a reason most people brush first and floss second?
Pros of Brushing First
The bristles of your brush are designed to do the heavy-duty lifting associated with big debris (food particles) that are leftover after you eat. Sometimes, food gets stuck between the teeth; other times, it finds its way into the gum line.
By putting your toothbrush to task first, you’ll eliminate a lot of the large stuff so your floss can focus on the nitty-gritty elements it’s designed to deal with.
Pros of Flossing First
Since floss can get into the deep crevices of your gum lines and go between your teeth better than your bristles can, flossing first can help loosen food and plaque so they can easily be brushed away when you reach for your toothbrush. By removing plaque upfront, you might also be clearing a better path for your tooth enamel to absorb the fluoride and other nutritional items found within your toothpaste.
Your Personal Preference
In the opinion of our Montreal dental center, the order in which you perform these tasks isn’t as important as simply ensuring that you are doing both. It’s really your personal preference, and as long as your teeth and gums are staying healthy, there’s not really a right or wrong way of doing things.
If you abide by the belief that you’d rather get the least desirable option out of the way first, flossing might be the thing you get out of the way as soon as you stand in front of the sink. On the other hand, if you prefer to stick to the traditional way of doing things, let your toothbrush go to town before you floss.
Of course, if you really want to make sure you’re getting all the food and plaque out of your mouth, you can always floss before and after. While that might be overkill for some people, it’s a surefire way to make sure you keep your mouth as healthy and clean as possible.
If you’re looking for a Montreal dental center that has an excellent reputation, look no further! Centre Dentaire is happily accepting new patients. We can’t wait to meet you!
