Flossing Really is Important

Here’s a newsflash.

Flossing your teeth BEFORE you brush has been proven to be the most effective way to get your teeth their cleanest. This recent study recently published in the Journal of Periodontology has just confirmed exactly what I have been telling patients for years: Floss First! (You can take a look at our blog written 4 years ago to get the details on this)

Flossing

Apparently, by removing all the interproximal plaque and food debris, you will actually be able to clean more of the tooth surface and gums. Makes perfect sense to me.

Consequently the question that pops into my mind is: why do all the directions on the toothpaste tube say to brush first and then floss? Here are a few reasons:

• Brushing is easier than flossing

• Toothpaste taste better than floss

• Toothpaste is advertised everywhere and more socially acceptable, floss isn’t

• The more you brush, the more toothpaste you will buy (therefore the label advises you to brush first)

Finally, if flossing is so important for dental health, it is best to make sure you are doing it correctly; most people aren’t. At your next dental visit, make it a priority to ask your dentist/hygienist for a quick demo to master this critical part of keeping your teeth healthy for a lifetime.