Which came first…the chicken or the egg?

Does the toilet paper roll go over or under?

Is the dress white and gold or black and blue?

These continue to be debates across dining room tables and across social media platforms. But how about whether you should brush and then floss, or floss and then brush? Have you ever had this argument with anyone before?

Many people have their morning and evening routines and don’t seem to find themselves straying too far away from their “normal.” You probably have a specific order to your own brushing and flossing routine. So is there a correct order when it comes to brushing and flossing?

According to the American Dental Association, either route you take of brushing and flossing is acceptable, as long as you are doing a thorough job. Some find it better to floss beforehand because they feel as though they have removed any material between teeth first. While others choose to brush first to get the clean feeling before they floss. It should also be noted that there is no difference between flossing in the morning compared to at night. Dentists say there is no right or wrong as long as the steps get done properly when it best fits into your routine.

More importantly than which steps you take first is proper dental cleaning. A person should focus on brushing for two-minutes at least twice a day and flossing at least once. To ensure the best dental hygiene, you should brush with fluoride toothpaste, limit sugar and sugary drinks, be sure to brush your tongue, and to visit your dentist twice a year for regular exams and professional cleanings. It is also encouraged to add rinse to your routine with mouthwash to continue to fight bacteria that may still be lingering even after brushing.

Other areas to consider that can impact your dental health are eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated and not chewing on hard objects. Eating healthy foods like fruit and vegetables help stimulate saliva production, which is a natural cleanser for teeth, and helps remove bacteria from the mouth. Staying hydrated is beneficial for your health, but also leads to more saliva production to clean your mouth. Finally, be sure to avoid hard objects which will prevent damage to teeth. This includes the obvious like hard candy, but also includes pen caps and fingernails.

We at Berkers Family Dentistry are honored to be your first choice in dental health. We promise to keep our practice patient-focused and offer you the best experience with friendly staff and current technologies. To schedule a consultation, cleaning or your next exam, schedule your appointment online now.