Brush or Floss-Which Should You Do First??

Most people know that brushing and flossing are important to maintain dental and periodontal health.  But is there a difference depending on which one you do first?

In this month's Journal of Periodontology, a group of researchers put the sequence of brushing and flossing to the test.  The patients were instructed to brush first, then floss in one sequence.

In the next sequence they were instructed to floss first and then brush.  The amount of dental plaque and also the concentration of fluoride remaining were carefully measured.

The results: Flossing first and then brushing had the greatest benefit in terms of the amount of plaque removed and also demonstrated the greatest concentration of fluoride remaining on the tooth surfaces.  So if you want to maintain healthy gums and lower the potential risk of decay, floss first for 2 minutes and then brush with a fluoridated toothpaste for 2 to 3 minutes.  We recommend brushing a minimum of twice per day and flossing a minimum of once per day