This post from Harris Dental in Phoenix asks you something a little bit like the chicken-or-egg question: which should you do first, brush your teeth, or floss them?
The answer depends on who you ask. Some dentists will tell you it’s better to floss first. That way, you loosen plaque, or food debris from between your teeth, and brush it away. Also, you won’t be tempted to skip flossing after you’ve brushed.
On the other hand, other dentists say it’s better to brush first. Then when you floss, you’ll get some toothpaste between your teeth.
According to one survey (they really do study these things), there’s about a fifty-fifty split among Americans, with a slight edge going to those who brush first. We think you should do whichever you prefer. Just be sure to do both!
Our recommendations are in line with the American Dental Association:
- Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day
- Use a soft-bristle brush, replaced every three months
- Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle at the gum line
- Brush in circular, half-tooth-wide strokes
- Be sure to get the back teeth
- Be sure to get in, outer, and top surfaces
- Don’t forget your tongue!
- With flossing, use about eighteen inches of floss, so you’ve got a clean piece for each section
Brushing and flossing are an essential part of your dental health regimen, and so is proper technique.
At Harris Dental in Phoenix we want all our patients to have excellent dental health. Brush and floss every day, and see us for regular cleanings and checkups. Services include general dentistry, and our office is a lecture-free zone. Call today!
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