You may do it all: you brush at least twice a day, floss once a day, and use mouthwash. But are you doing in the right order? There has been prolonged debate about what step in oral hygiene comes first.
To start, you should consider flossing at night if you don’t already. Nighttime routine is more important since you’re not swallowing or producing as much saliva in your sleep. To avoid keeping access sugars and plaque on your teeth at night for bacteria to thrive off of, it is best to keep the once-a-day floss action designated to your bedtime routine. This still leaves the question: what is the proper way to kick off the at home dental hygiene routine? Here we evaluate the benefits of prioritizing each mouth-cleaning method.
Benefits of using mouthwash first: Swishing with mouthwash reduces bacteria in the mouth from the get go, so less bacteria is introduced to your toothbrush. Bacteria lingers on toothbrushes and builds up over time, so if this is something you are trying to reduce, it may be a good idea to start prioritizing mouthwash in your routine.
Benefits of flossing first: Flossing first is a traditional method that is most often recommended. Flossing can help loosen bits of plaque between teeth, leaving the toothbrush to easily brush them away. Dr. Ryan S. Lee, DDS, MPH, MHA, FICOI, FAGD, DIDIA from Massachusetts says, "Ah, one of my favorite topics. Please refer to a 2018 randomized clinical trial in the Journal of Periodontology, which found that flossing first before brushing led to statistically significantly decreases in plaque load between teeth. Plus, more of the fluoride from the toothpaste remains in the oral cavity if one does not floss it away after brushing. Hence I strongly recommend that my patients floss first. Now, I personally floss in the shower and brush at the sink after I exit the shower, which is one way to guarantee this aforementioned correct sequence."
Benefits of brushing first: One known benefit of brushing first is the idea that the toothbrush removes majority of plaque on surfaces of teeth, allowing the floss to then push leftover toothpaste on the teeth down into the gums and in between teeth, further removing plaque in hard to reach areas.
So, what’s the best method to prioritize? You can’t go wrong with trusting tradition and sticking to the experts! Flossing before brushing is the universal solution. However, the answer may vary from person to person. You should always seek input from your dentist, as everyone has different hygiene needs depending on their unique oral health conditions and susceptibility to gum disease. Don’t have a dentist? – contact us. We can let you know the next time we are visiting your workplace, or we can set you up with one of our partnered local providers to ensure you are getting the care you need.