The Age-Old Question: Should You Floss Before or After Brushing?
Flossing and brushing work in tandem to keep your teeth clean, keep plaque at bay, and, of course, keep your breath smelling fresh. So, does it really matter which you do first? The short answer: It does.
While it may be surprising, a study has found that flossing first followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is more effective in removing interdental plaque than brushing first, flossing second.3 In addition, flossing before brushing results in greater fluoride retention between teeth.3 This is because flossing loosens the bacteria, plaque, and other residue between teeth. When followed by brushing and rinsing with water, more particles are flushed out from those hard-to-reach interdental spaces.3,4