Brush or Floss First?

Brushing and flossing is the best way to remove decay-causing (bacteria) plaque from your teeth and help maintain optimal oral health.

It doesn’t matter whether you brush or floss first. The goal for both is to remove the plaque from the entire surface of each tooth in your mouth. If this goal is met daily then you will never experience caries (decay) or gum disease.

While tooth brushing removes plaque from tooth surfaces, it can’t do the entire job of removing plaque. Cleaning between the teeth daily with floss removes debris from between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. People who have difficulty handling dental floss may prefer to use another kind of interdental cleaner. These aids include special brushes, picks or sticks. If you use interdental cleaners, ask your dentist about how to use them properly to avoid injuring your gums.

How do you know if you’re doing a thorough job?

Plaque disclosing tablets are chewed after you clean your mouth. Red dye will stain plaque that has not been removed, showing you spots that need additional cleaning.