Flossing, Brushing, Mouthwash- What’s The Right Order?

There’s a lot of varying views about the best order for brushing, flossing or using mouthwash and, believe it or not, there’s quite a commotion about it on the Internet. People can be passionate about the order in which they perform their daily routines, and dental care is no exception.

While it is important to brush twice a day, floss once a day and use mouthwash, what’s the right order to do these in? Well, instead of standing in front of your sink battling with your inner conscience, we have an answer for you (sort of).

When it comes to brushing and flossing, it really doesn’t matter which you do first. Dentists will recommend different things, and there are arguments for both. For those who recommend to brush first, floss second, the argument is that brushing helps loosen up places where there’s buildup, making it easier to floss and fit the floss around teeth.

Those who floss first argue that flossing after brushing leaves you with debris in your mouth, while flossing and then brushing away everything else leaves the mouth cleaner. In reality, either of these methods will work, as long as you’re doing both. The main focus is to make sure you’re disturbing the plaque in your mouth. As long as this is happening, the plaque can’t sit and form cavities and other oral problems.

The one thing most experts can agree on, however, is that rinsing with a fluoride-containing mouthwash should be your final step. After brushing and flossing, rinsing with a mouthwash, not water, keeps you plaque-free, prevents gum disease and keeps your breath fresh (an added bonus).

The goal of your dental routine is to not allow plaque to hold on to anything — disrupt it. As long as that’s happening, the order can be whatever you prefer. Finish it up with your preferred mouthwash, and you’re good to go!

At Greenspoint Dental, we do everything we can to ensure your dental hygiene and give you all the tools you need to keep a healthy mouth. If you need to schedule a teeth cleaning or other appointment, contact us today and take the first step toward a better dental routine.