Should you floss before or after brushing?
Asked by: Prof. Marjorie Rutherford | Last update: December 30, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (50 votes)
Is it better to brush first or floss first?
While it may be surprising, a study has found that flossing first followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is more effective in removing interdental plaque than brushing first, flossing second. In addition, flossing before brushing results in greater fluoride retention between teeth.
What is the proper order for brushing flossing and rinsing?
Flossing first can provide better results, but overall, if you're brushing and flossing daily, you're doing a great job with your oral health, regardless of which order you choose. However, it's still important to use mouthwash last, as the product won't work as well if rinsed away during subsequent oral hygiene steps.
Why do dentists floss after brushing?
Flossing after brushing is often the go-to order for most people. After all, brushing helps remove plaque and food from tooth surfaces, leaving the tighter spots to the floss.
Does the ADA recommend flossing before or after brushing?
Should I brush or floss first? Either way is acceptable as long as you do a thorough job. Some people like to floss before brushing to better ensure that any material between teeth is swept out of the mouth. Others prefer to first clean their mouth by brushing before working with floss between their teeth.
Water Flossing vs. String Flossing - Which is Better?
In what order should I clean my teeth?
Most people brush, floss and then use mouthwash. And some just brush, skipping the other two steps. As it turns out, it's actually more effective to floss, use mouthwash, then brush, according to dentists — and they don't recommend skipping any steps.
Can dentists tell if you floss right before?
However, even if the problem hasn't reached that point yet, your dentist and dental hygienist will still be able to tell in a second whether you've been flossing. They'll be able to detect the plaque and inflammation between your teeth even if you brushed and flossed right before you went in for your appointment.
Is Waterpik as good as flossing?
A Waterpik, or water flosser, is a device that sprays water to clean between your teeth. It can be a good substitute for traditional flossing, especially for those who find flossing hard. While it may not work as well as flossing in all cases, a Waterpik can still remove plaque and reduce gum disease.
Is it better to floss in the morning or at night?
"Dentists just want you to floss." It also doesn't matter what time of day you floss. For instance, if you'd rather floss in the morning instead of the evening, you can. As long as you do a thorough job, it doesn't matter when you floss, according to Mouth Healthy, an ADA site.
Should you tongue scrape before or after brushing?
Generally speaking, a good rule of thumb is to allow around two minutes to scrape your tongue after brushing your teeth. As with brushing your teeth with a toothbrush, there are plenty of ways you can make brushing your tongue easier and even fun.
Can you leave toothpaste on your teeth overnight?
Insights from Dental Professionals: Dental experts caution against leaving toothpaste on teeth overnight, emphasizing the importance of rinsing thoroughly after brushing. They advise following evidence-based oral hygiene practices to maintain optimal dental health.
Do you floss up and down or back and forth?
Is it better to floss up and down or back and forth? The best way to clean your teeth during flossing is by using an up-and-down motion while sliding the floss between your teeth. Make sure to use a fresh section of floss for each tooth to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Why do I still have plaque after brushing?
Incomplete Brushing and Flossing:
Even with regular brushing and flossing, plaque can build up if you're not using the correct techniques or missing certain areas. Common spots that are often neglected include the back teeth, gum line, and the spaces between teeth.
What is the correct order of dental hygiene?
A proper dental routine consists of five steps: rinsing, brushing, flossing, tongue scraping, and a final rinse.
Should you brush your tongue?
To ensure that you keep bacteria and plaque away, it is best to clean your tongue twice a day. A good rule of thumb is to brush or scrape your tongue right after you brush your teeth. Doing it before bed will help reduce the amount of bacteria able to grow, which reduces the chance of morning breath in the morning.
Is flossing once a day enough?
That's why the American Dental Association recommends you floss once a day to remove food particles and plaque – the sticky film on your teeth that can lead to cavities and gum disease. Plaque contains cavity-causing bacteria that feed on leftover food in your mouth.
Is it OK to floss before or after brushing?
Regular flossing may also reduce gum disease and bad breath by removing plaque that forms along the gum line. It's best to floss before brushing your teeth. Take 30cm to 45cm of floss or dental tape and grasp it so you have 3cm or 4cm of floss taut between your hands.
What happens if I don't floss for one night?
Excessive plaque buildup can take a while, and a cavity will not appear after one missed brushing and flossing session. But that doesn't mean you should go ahead and skip a day when you don't feel like taking care of your teeth, as neglecting your routine can lead to oral health diseases and future issues.
Can bacteria grow in Waterpik?
Keeping the tool clean aids in the removal of potentially harmful particles such as spores, bacteria, and mycotoxins, as well as potential food sources such as organic matter and mineral buildup.It also helps ensure that the machine continues to work properly; a malfunctioning waterpik is an open door for retaining ...
What's better than flossing?
Water pick users say their mouths feel fresher after use, and that's because water flossers are more effective than dental floss or floss picks at plaque removal. Studies show that water flossers remove 29% more plaque than floss. Water flossers are also more gentle for people with gum sensitivity.
What are the disadvantages of a water flosser?
I recommend hand flossing first to get the food debris out, then brushing to remove stain and plaque, and then water flossing to finish the clean.” Other disadvantages include: A water flosser may not remove all plaque from the surface of the teeth. It costs more than string floss.
Do you use a new piece of floss for each tooth?
Use a new section of floss for each tooth
Yes, because you need a clean section for each tooth. Reusing the same sections can leave bacteria behind in your mouth.
What do gums look like when you don't floss?
Folks who only rarely or never floss probably have gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, or even periodontitis, advanced gum disease. Your gums are likely red, puffy, and perhaps they bleed whenever you brush.
Should you water floss first or last?
Therefore, our recommendation is to consider using your Waterpik water flosser first before brushing your teeth. This will allow the stuck-on debris to dislodge and then you can easily brush the remaining area free of all particles.