There’s so much that goes into keeping our teeth and gums healthy, from brushing twice a day and using mouthwash to flossing and scraping our tongues. And chances are you probably have a daily oral hygiene routine — but what if one step is wrong?
Switching up our daily habits can be challenging. Especially if we’ve been doing something a certain way for years. For instance, there’s advice that you shouldn’t rinse your teeth with water after brushing. But there’s another dental hygiene tip: You should floss your teeth before you brush them.
Many of us, including me, were taught to brush our teeth and then use floss to remove anything the toothbrush missed. Even dental hygienists floss after they’re finished brushing our teeth. This raises the question: Does it make a difference if you floss before or after brushing?
Here’s what the American Dental Association says about when to floss, and why some believe flossing first is better. For more, here’s whether you should brush your teeth before or after breakfast.
