Floss before brushing: Tip of the Day 9-28-22
All my life, I've been told to brush and floss my teeth. Brush and floss, in that order. Turns out, my teeth and gums could benefit more by reversing that order!
Increased fluoride retention is important because fluoride is a mineral that fights cavities and tooth decay. Flossing is vital to oral health because it removes plaque from surfaces of the teeth and the gum line that toothbrushes can’t reach, and clears out debris that can cause plaque. Studies show flossing first matters. When you floss first followed by brushing, more particles are flushed out from hard-to-reach spaces between teeth. This lessens your chances for gum disease too.
A survey from the ADA found 16% of respondents floss at least once a day, 20% said they floss only when they need to or if something is stuck in their teeth, and 8% said they never floss.
Bonus tip: Its never too late to start flossing. If you've never flossed, your gums might bleed a little at first. Keep your floss right next to your toothpaste and toothbrush and make sure it is visible. Having it out can help serve as a reminder to not skip the step.