We’ve all heard about the warning that you should floss after brushing your teeth. What about flossing before you use your toothbrush? The American Association of Orthodontists suggests that flossing before brushing might lead to better results. Initial results indicate that flossing before brushing your teeth can have several positive benefits for your dental health. Most people will have gotten the lecture from their dentists about why flossing is crucial in keeping their teeth clean. Here we look at the scientific reasons for this conclusion.
Plaque Removal
Medical News Today mentions that flossing alongside brushing is the most effective way of removing plaque from your teeth. Dentists suggest flossing first since the floss is likely to free up the plaque from your teeth, making it easier for you to remove it with a toothbrush. The amount of plaque removed is significantly more than when someone brushes and then flosses.
Increased Toothpaste Effectiveness
Toothpaste typically contains fluoride, and this chemical helps to strengthen your teeth. It does so by chemically bonding with your teeth’s calcium to form fluorapatite, a chemical that’s resistant to tooth decay and even stronger than calcium. The term dentists use for this process is remineralization. However, the fluoride inside your toothpaste is only useful when it can touch your teeth. Flossing first allows the toothpaste to come into contact with more of your teeth, resulting in more substantial protection.
Stopping Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an inflammation of your gums and is typically caused by plaque buildup. If left untreated, it can even lead to you losing your teeth. Flossing properly helps to free up the plaque closest to your gums, making it less likely that they’ll lead to gingivitis. Once you use your floss to do so, brushing and rinsing your mouth allows all that plaque to be flushed out of your mouth. The fresh, clean feeling is more than a relief. It’s a guarantee that you won’t lose your teeth to inflamed gums.
No More Bad Breath
Food particles stuck between your teeth can cause tooth decay and lead to halitosis or bad breath. Flossing loosens these morsels and allows your brush to get rid of them completely, leaving your teeth in perfect condition. Leaving these morsels on your enamel for too long can lead to them being digested by the bacteria that live on your teeth. To digest the food particles, they produce acid, which eats away at your tooth enamel. Getting rid of these leftovers requires a stable regimen of flossing and brushing.
Avoid Expensive Replacement Treatments
If you don’t take care of your teeth, you’re liable to lose them. Protection should start from an early age since it gets so much more difficult as you age to protect your teeth. You can’t turn the clock back, and usually, if your teeth start falling out, you’ll need to see a dental implant dentist to sort it out. Prevention is always preferable to a cure. Taking care of your teeth now helps to ensure that you have them well into your old age in proper working order.