Have you ever wondered if you should floss before you brush your teeth? As children, we are usually taught that brushing your teeth comes before flossing. This is one of the reasons why many people don’t floss. After brushing your mouth feels clean, and when your mouth feels clean, flossing feels like an option, not a requirement.
A recent study found that flossing your teeth before brushing them loosens bacteria and allows your toothbrush to remove plaque easier. In the study, it was demonstrated that those who flossed before they brushed their teeth ended up with less plaque on their teeth in comparison to those who brushed and then flossed.
Brushing twice a day is not enough
Our teeth have five surfaces. Brushing only cleans three of these five surfaces. We need floss to clean the surfaces between our teeth, and if we fail to do this, our gums will not remain healthy. This is because the bacteria that causes gingivitis will be allowed to flourish between our teeth, causing inflammation and bad breath.
Flossing your teeth before brushing also has the added benefit of keeping more fluoride in your mouth after you’ve finished brushing. Fluoride is a natural mineral that protects teeth against decay and reduces the levels of acid produced by bacteria on your teeth. Using toothpaste with fluoride is an essential part of good oral health but it is not all that is needed.
Take care of your oral health
Taking care of your mouth is about more than having a beautiful smile. Looking after our oral health with brushing, flossing, and keeping our diet low in sugar cannot be overstated. Compromised oral health is connected to a range of physical health outcomes such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. There are some studies that suggest improving your oral health also improve your overall physical health.
Another important part of good oral health is regular dental visits. Call today and make an appointment to get your teeth checked, or fill out our contact form and click send.
