October 27, 2022

Should You Floss Before or After Brushing?

Flossing first might be a tad more beneficial, but it’s most important that you DO brush and floss

Person flossing their teeth.

You know you’re supposed to brush your teeth and floss regularly, but, like … how? And when? And which should you do first? Does it even matter? So many questions!

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Periodontist Sasha Ross, DMD, MS, is here to demystify your mouth, breaking down the oral hygiene habits that’ll keep your teeth and gums happy and healthy.

Good oral hygiene routine order

First things first: Which comes first? Are you supposed to floss before or after you brush? Umm, good question.

“The truth is that we don’t yet know for sure,” Dr. Ross says, “though one study suggests that flossing before brushing is the way to go, so that’s usually what I tell my patients.”

She walks you through the order or operations, including how to do each of them.

Step one: Bust out the dental floss

The study that Dr. Ross references looked at the effects of both flossing before brushing and brushing before flossing to determine which, if either, was better for dental health. It found that flossing first did a better job of reducing some types of dental plaque, a sticky film that forms on teeth.

“Flossing is incredibly important because studies repeatedly show that brushing alone doesn’t get to the area in between your teeth,” Dr. Ross confirms. “If you’re not getting rid of the plaque there, it can lead to cavities or periodontal disease.”

The same study showed that flossing first paved the way for the fluoride in toothpaste to work its magic — probably by getting rid of excess gunk (no, that’s not official medical terminology) and clearing the way for fluoride to more effectively reach teeth.

Step two: Brush your teeth

For optimal oral hygiene, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day — and if you eat multiple, smaller meals throughout the day, you should brush more often, too, to prevent cavities.

“At least one of the two times, you should brush for two whole minutes,” Dr. Ross advises. She recommends investing in an electric toothbrush, which has a built-in timer that tells you when your two minutes are up. And be sure to choose a toothpaste with fluoride.

Advertisement

Step three: Gargle with mouthwash

That minty-fresh fresh taste should be the final step in your standard oral hygiene routine. Mouthwash, also called mouth rinse, is not a substitute for brushing or flossing, but it’s a solid endgame move if you want to keep your mouth in tip-top shape.

“I generally recommend something like Listerine®, which not only targets bad breath, but is also antibacterial and anti-gingivitis,” Dr. Ross says.

What about other oral hygiene tools?

Dr. Ross weighs in on a few other options you might’ve heard about, explaining whether they’re worthwhile investments and when to use them in your routine.

Floss picks

These inexpensive inventions have a small plastic handle for holding and a tiny piece of dental floss snared taut across the top for reaching in between your teeth.

“They’re better than nothing, but they aren’t as effective as a piece of string floss, which wraps around the teeth and gets under the gums in the right way,” Dr. Ross says.

They’re worth keeping in your car or purse to use in a pinch, though, and they’re a good option for anyone with limited hand dexterity.

Water flossers

Water flossing devices, also known as oral irrigators, are motorized devices that you aim at your gum line. Like a tiny hose for your mouth, they spray a steady stream of water that can dislodge anything stuck between your teeth that regular flossing and brushing might’ve missed.

Water flossers can’t remove film from your teeth, so they’re not a substitute for regular dental floss. But their added benefits can be especially helpful if you have:

“When you use a water flosser, a lot of times, you’ll see chunks of food fall out, even after you’ve flossed,” Dr. Ross notes. “They really can help decrease gum bleeding and tighten your gum tissue.”

Advertisement

Tongue scrapers

These handy little devices aren’t a must-have, per se, but in addition to brushing your tongue, tongue scrapers may give you an extra boost of clean.

“The thought is that it may scrape away some of the bacteria that release sulfites, which cause bad breath,” Dr. Ross says.

Why should you floss before you brush?

Flossing before brushing has been shown to have a few more health benefits than if you brush first and then floss — but the most important thing, Dr. Ross says, is that you’re doing both, period.

One study found that only 41% of Americans floss at least once per day, and 20% of people never flossFlossing goes a long way toward your oral health, which, in turn, goes a long way toward your overall health.

That’s because having poor oral hygiene can lead to:

If you’re not sure whether you’re brushing and/or flossing properly, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist or dental hygienist for tips. You can even brush or floss in front of them so they can correct your form, if needed.

“When it comes to oral health, practice makes perfect,” Dr. Ross says. “It really can impact your overall health — so even if you’re struggling initially, please don’t give up.”

To learn more on this topic from Dr. Ross, listen to the Health Essentials Podcast episode, “Keeping Your Mouth Healthy.” New episodes of the Health Essentials Podcast publish every Wednesday.

Related Articles

Person using water dental flosser in bathroom.
January 10, 2023
Why You Should Add a Water Flosser to Your Oral Health Routine

This tool is an add-on to your regular brushing and flossing habits, not a replacement for them

Person flossing teeth with a long piece of floss wrapped around their fingers.
December 15, 2022
Here’s the Right Way to Floss Your Teeth

Your toothbrush can’t reach the area where your teeth meet your gum line

A person in a bathrobe running water over their toothbrush in a sink
June 24, 2022
How To Clean Your Toothbrush

It’s simpler than you might think

brushing teeth when you have diabetes
November 11, 2020
5 Tips to Prevent Gum Disease If You Have Diabetes

Gum disease can affect your insulin

brushing teeth in the morning
July 24, 2020
Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Problems?

How oral hygiene and cardiac health go hand-in-hand​

Elderly man having dental exam
July 24, 2019
Did Gum Disease Cause My Arthritis?

The short answer from a rheumatologist

Child brushing her teeth
April 23, 2019
Should My Kids Use a ‘Natural’ Toothpaste?

The short answer from a pediatric dentist

Notes taped to window of possible new year's resolutions with hand in foreground holding marker.
December 1, 2023
How To Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

Pick specific, measurable goals, but also be open to changing them if need be

Trending Topics

group of hands holding different beverages
November 14, 2023
10 Myths About Drinking Alcohol You Should Stop Repeating

Coffee won’t cure a hangover and you definitely shouldn’t mix your cocktail with an energy drink

Person applies moisturizer as part of their skin care routine after a shower.
November 10, 2023
Korean Skin Care Routines: What You Need To Know

Focus on the philosophy — replenishing and respecting your skin — not necessarily the steps

glass of cherry juice with cherries on table
November 8, 2023
Sleepy Girl Mocktail: What’s in It and Does It Really Make You Sleep Better?

This social media sleep hack with tart cherry juice and magnesium could be worth a try

Ad