Flossing & brushing, which do you do first?

[jewellsmommy]

Dh and I had an interesting discussion about this. I have read several opinions on the internet about which should be performed first. I can see the the reasons behind both "camps." I have even seen dentists disagree! I suppose the *ideal* way would be brush, floss, brush again, mouthwash :D. What say you?

[Snickerdoodle]

I'm totally neurotic here:

 

Brush, floss, brush

[DarlaS]

I use floss first, mouthwash next, (mint listerine) then brush.

[Ester Maria]

Floss then brush. If you do it the other way round, when you floss, you remove some of the protective layer that the toothpaste left on your teeth.

[Lara in Colo]

brush, floss, brush, mw

[thepoteetteam]

brush then floss

[Crissy]

Brush, floss, Listerine rinse.

[thescrappyhomeschooler]

Brush, rinse, floss, rinse

[Julie in CA]

Brush, floss, brush.

[NanceXToo]

I brush with toothpaste. Then I floss. Then I usually give one more brushover with just a wet toothbrush/water and rinse.

[runamuk]

Listerine, floss, brush. I use a prescription toothpaste that needs to stay on my teeth for at least 30 minutes, so I brush last.

[Melissa in Australia]

other ! I never floss.

[jewellsmommy]

Its a pretty close race. We don't seem to have a clear consensus yet. :D

[angela in ohio]

Floss, rinse with water, brush, rinse with mouthwash.

[jewellsmommy]

Where are the dentists? The dental assistants? People who make their own floss? Surely there is someone who will claim superior knowledge on the subject and set us all straight! :tongue_smilie:

[Gooblink]

other ! I never floss.

 

I never did, either. I used to tease my husband that floss was a conspiracy to get folks to wear the enamal off their teeth and visit the dentist more often.

 

Then, I hit 45 and started having gum problems. :001_huh:

 

So, now I rinse with Listerene, floss, brush and rinse again. :)

[stripe]

Floss then brush. If you do it the other way round, when you floss, you remove some of the protective layer that the toothpaste left on your teeth.

Do you rinse after brushing, or leave the paste on as is?

[GraciebytheBay]

I brush, then floss, then brush again. My reasoning: brush first to get off the "stuff" that's on there so it isn't as gross. After flossing, the spaces will be all clear for the toothpaste to penetrate all the nooks and crannies. Dh thinks I am totally weird, btw. :001_smile:

 

I just read all the responses and am delighted to see that I am NOT totally weird! (unless all of us brush-floss-brushers are weird, but we're not weird alone!) I am so happy to show this thread to dh.

Edited August 21, 2010 by GraciebytheBay

[Ester Maria]

Do you rinse after brushing, or leave the paste on as is?

Rinse, but the analogy is not quite there IMO. Flossing somewhat "scrapes" the surface as you go to the very teeth, very sharply so I suppose it does "peel off" some of the protective layer that you got there with the paste. Rinsing isn't as "aggressive", if you know what I mean - it basically gently picks the paste, but doesn't "scrape".

ETA: That's an amateur reasoning, of course. But I did get it advised by the dentist to do it that way.

[LauraGB]

Wild! I didn't know there were options! Floss, then brush (to get rid of any particles you flossed out). :confused:

 

You do see the freedoms I find here at 'The Forum', dont' you?

[jewellsmommy]

I brush, then floss, then brush again. My reasoning: brush first to get off the "stuff" that's on there so it isn't as gross. After flossing, the spaces will be all clear for the toothpaste to penetrate all the nooks and crannies. Dh thinks I am totally weird, btw. :001_smile:

 

I just read all the responses and am delighted to see that I am NOT totally weird! (unless all of us brush-floss-brushers are weird, but we're not weird alone!) I am so happy to show this thread to dh.

 

 

Its not just you! :lol: And, my dh has asked me several times about how this poll has been going. Dental hygiene is a very important marital issue.:tongue_smilie:

[Pretty in Pink]

Floss, rinse, brush, rinse, mouthwash.

[Mabelen]

I used to brush then floss and be done. Lately I have been adding a last brushing after flossing!

[Tap]

Other....Brush, floss, light brush

[Food4Thought]

My reasoning behind the brush, floss decision is that I'm afraid that brushing after flossing will squish the excess flossed goo right back in between my teeth. :001_huh: Obviously, I'm not in the brush-floss-brush camp. I might brush-floss-rinse.

[BikeBookBread]

My dentist told me to floss first, and then brush, and finally rinse well. His thought was that getting the chunky gunk out first (oh, that's gross! :ack2: ) allows the brush to sweep it away.

[Sandra in FL]

other ! I never floss.

I never used to floss either. As I'm getting older, I'm getting gum problems. Now I think that flossing is even more important than brushing.

 

I do an occasional baking soda brushing to get the excess stuff off my teeth.

[sibbis]

floss, brush, rinse!

[Momofeat]

Brush, floss, brush.

 

So glad to see others who do the same. I thought I was the only person in the world with this strange habit. :lol:

[MamaT]

Floss, brush, rinse.

 

I also never used to floss, but as I got older and started having gum problems flossing became essential.

[KidsHappen]

I actually do them seperately. I floss several times a day and then brush morning and night. I go to the dentist every six months and I never have any tartar, plaque or gums problems. I also use an electric toothbrush and I brush obsessively for longer than recommended but I can feel when all of my teeth are clean and smooth. I don't use mouthwash because I have read that the alcohol in it can actually damage the gums and mucus membranes in the mouth and cause problems. Oh and I use baking soda to brush and I brush my tongue and the roof of my mouth (told you I was obsessive). This might not work if you have sensitive teeth or too much wearing of the tooth enamel.