You don't have to be told about the importance of good dental hygiene. Taking care of your teeth not only fights bad breath, but it can also prevent cavities, gum disease, and contribute to a healthy set of pearly whites. But when it comes to flossing and brushing your teeth, like many, you might not give much thought to the proper order. As long as you're doing both regularly, you're good, right? Well, not necessarily. The recommendation is actually to floss before brushing your teeth. This article will explain why this sequence is best and provide tips on how to get the most out of flossing and brushing.

Brushing and flossing

Good dental hygiene involves more than just brushing your teeth. Brushing is an excellent way to clean your teeth, remove dental plaque, and prevent cavities. But brushing alone isn't enough to keep your teeth healthy and prevent gum disease. Flossing contributes to good dental hygiene because it lifts and removes plaque and food in between your teeth. Brushing also removes plaque and food debris, but the toothbrush's bristles can't reach deep in between teeth to remove it all. Therefore, flossing helps keep your mouth as clean as possible.

Why is it better to floss before brushing?

Some people get into a routine of brushing then flossing. The problem with this sequence is that any food, plaque, and bacteria released by flossing from in between your teeth remains in your mouth until the next time you brush. However, when you floss and then brush, the brushing action removes these released particles from the mouth. As a result, there's less dental plaque in your mouth, and you'll have a lower risk of developing gum disease. The fluoride in your toothpaste is also better able to do its job in protecting your teeth when particles are removed first.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Kipling Family Dentistry at (416) 614-6633.