I mean as long as youre doing both im sure its better than not. But i was wondering if one was more beneficial than the other.
2006-09-15 12:25:17 · 10 answers · asked by Jason K 1 in Health ➔ Dental
Brush first, then rinse with water to flush away most of the debris.
Now floss to loosen up the plaque between your teeth, and rinse with water again.
If you've done these 2 things well, then there is no benefit in using a mouthwash. Mouthwashes containing cetylpyridium or essential oils (e.g. Listerine) are useless waste of money. Use them as a mouth FRESHENER if you like, but they won't CLEAN your teeth better than brushing and flossing.
For a truly antibacterial effect, I give my patients a chlorhexidine mouthwash (e.g. Savacol) before extractions or surgery. Each rinse has a 12-hour effect. But it is not necessary for long-term in most patients.
2006-09-15 17:44:02 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Matt W (Australia) 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well do you rinse with a mouthwash afterwards? It's best to brush first to remove the plaque on your teeth and then floss to remove the plaque interproximally, then rinse (Listerine works best). The reason for brushing first is because when you floss you don't want to drag plaque that is on your teeth (because you haven't brushed yet) under your gumline creating more problems. So if it makes you feel better you can always brush before and after.
2006-09-15 21:39:46 · answer #2 · answered by Jim B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You want to brush first since plaque and such might not be romoved from between but pushed into, then floss to romove that plaque and such, and finally rinse all that is left over from being flossed out of between but not removed off the tooth by the floss. So, remenber: Brush, Floss, Rinse.
2006-09-19 19:32:37 · answer #3 · answered by afafae25 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always brush first, then floss. It seems like you're more sure to get rid of everything that way. ..But I could be doing it wrong.
2006-09-15 19:34:05 · answer #4 · answered by bitchenbrod 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if it really matters either, but I've always figrued it you floss first then brushing can wipe away all that you've gotten out from between your teeth.
2006-09-15 19:37:21 · answer #5 · answered by boobookittyfck37 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
brush , then floss. I was told that by my dentist just a couple weeks ago
2006-09-15 19:34:34 · answer #6 · answered by Johnny 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I brush, floss, then brush again.
2006-09-16 10:18:14 · answer #7 · answered by Bowllynn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
johny h's answer makes sense, but why does the dentist always floss your teeth AFTER cleaning them?
2006-09-15 19:34:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
floss, then brush. you don't want to "brush" that gunk back into your gums after u floss, so floss first.
2006-09-15 19:34:27 · answer #9 · answered by Ziva 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
always floss first. you are dredging up bacteria that you want to wash away with tooth brushing.
2006-09-15 19:28:36 · answer #10 · answered by johny h 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋