Picture it: You’re getting ready to head out on a date and you check your breath… Rushing to the bathroom sink to solve the problem, you look down at your toothbrush and flosser. The age-old question overcomes you: is it better to floss before or after brushing?

It’s really never been clear as to which sequencing society deems the standard of this long-existing oral hygiene question. Practicing positive oral health refers to keeping your mouth, teeth, and gums clean to prevent disease. This is an essential part of our everyday lives in hopes of preventing gum disease, bad breath, cavities, and plaque. Since flossing and brushing are the cornerstones of healthy oral hygiene, it’s time to set the record straight as to what the correct order is.

Brushing Before Flossing

It’s common for people to get into the undesirable habit of brushing before flossing. The issue here is that the tartar, bacteria, and food get released from between your teeth and stay in your mouth until the next time you brush. This tartar can then harden to become plaque in your mouth, which is a precursor to gum disease.

The act of brushing scrubs away the tartar, bacteria, and food that’s released while flossing. Dental professionals recommend utilizing the C-Shape to effectively remove unwanted plaque. This strategy effectively helps you clean both teeth when flossing between a gap. Hugging one tooth, you slide up and down the adjacent tooth, which ultimately makes a C-Shape around the tooth. Repeating this motion across both the upper and bottom rows of teeth will ensure a deep clean that removes the tartar between your teeth.

Flossing Before Brushing

Choosing to brush your teeth after flossing leads to a lower risk of gum disease. Clearing plaque away from the tooth enamel allows it to more readily absorb fluoride, which replenishes phosphorous and calcium making your tooth enamel hard and reducing your risk of cavities.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), brushing your teeth twice a day is recommended to maintain healthy oral hygiene. Brush for two minutes and gently move the brush back and forth in short strokes. Make sure to brush the outer surfaces, the chewable surfaces, and the inner surfaces of your teeth to best eliminate all the plaque that was removed while flossing.

Do You Floss Before or After Brushing?

The correct order is to floss before you brush. Flossing first removes unwanted plaque and bacteria, then brushing removes this from the surface of your teeth. Choosing to floss first allows the fluoride from your toothpaste to better clean your tooth enamel. To ensure your teeth remain healthy, dental professionals recommend not rinsing with water for up to 30 minutes after flossing and brushing. This process can wash away the fluoride.

GumChucks: The Perfect C-Shape

GumChucks are specifically designed to accomplish C-Shape flossing. Unlike one-piece flossers that hold the floss in a rigid position, GumChuck’s two-handle device gives you better leverage, letting you control the tension of the floss and allowing you to effectively clean the sides of each tooth. The handles make it easier for everyone to floss, especially those with limited dexterity, with the added bonus of never having to stick your fingers in your mouth.

GUMCHUCKS MAKES FLOSSING FUN, FAST, AND EASY!

Click here to get started with GumChucks today!