Floss or brush first?

Syringer

Lifer
Aug 2, 2001
19,333
3
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OP Here: I floss before brushing, and see no advantages at all to doing it the other way around which seems to only be around because of traditional reasons rather than practical ones.
 
Aug 26, 2004
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i pretty much never floss, just brush my teeth twice a day...flossing is a pain in the ass, who has 20 minutes to spend on their teeth each morning?

i'd rather sleep :eek:
 

mb

Lifer
Jun 27, 2004
10,233
2
71
Originally posted by: quakefiend420
flossing is a pain in the ass

You're doing it wrong.

Originally posted by: quakefiend420
20 minutes to spend on their teeth each morning?


You're doing it wrong.


It's really not that hard, takes another 30 seconds. And you really only have to floss once a day, so do it before bed.

For me, brush, floss, listerine.

 

Syringer

Lifer
Aug 2, 2001
19,333
3
71
Originally posted by: quakefiend420
i pretty much never floss, just brush my teeth twice a day...flossing is a pain in the ass, who has 20 minutes to spend on their teeth each morning?

i'd rather sleep :eek:

I would say flossing is more important than brushing, especially in preventing gingivitis--brushing can't get into your gums at all.
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,741
456
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Originally posted by: quakefiend420
i pretty much never floss, just brush my teeth twice a day...flossing is a pain in the ass, who has 20 minutes to spend on their teeth each morning?

i'd rather sleep :eek:

Do it at night, that's what I do
 

Terzo

Platinum Member
Dec 13, 2005
2,589
27
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I've wondered about this too. I brush->floss out of habit, but for some reason I think it would be more convenient to floss first.
 

Syringer

Lifer
Aug 2, 2001
19,333
3
71
Originally posted by: Terzo
I've wondered about this too. I brush->floss out of habit, but for some reason I think it would be more convenient to floss first.

It is.
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,125
779
126
If you floss first, when you brush, you push particles back into the place you just flossed.
Everyone knows this.
 

Shadowknight

Diamond Member
May 4, 2001
3,959
3
81
You floss to get out the food particles between your teeth, which would otherwise block your toothbrush when brushing your teeth.
 

Excelsior

Lifer
May 30, 2002
19,047
18
81
It simply doesn't make sense to brush before flossing. Flossing gets where the brush can't, the brush cleans up what the flossing got, and you're good to go.
 

Modular

Diamond Member
Jul 1, 2005
5,027
67
91
Floss first, then brush. This way the ***** from in between your teeth gets brushed away.
 

Synomenon

Lifer
Dec 25, 2004
10,547
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81
I floss before I brush my teeth so I get the crap out and loosen them. Then I brush my teeth. Does anyone else floss at night before going to bed?
 
Aug 26, 2004
14,685
1
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Originally posted by: mb
Originally posted by: quakefiend420
flossing is a pain in the ass

You're doing it wrong.

Originally posted by: quakefiend420
20 minutes to spend on their teeth each morning?


You're doing it wrong.


It's really not that hard, takes another 30 seconds. And you really only have to floss once a day, so do it before bed.

For me, brush, floss, listerine.

maybe i should take a class lol

EDIT: or maybe i'm just a lot more thorough...i spend about 4 mins brushing
 

surfsatwerk

Lifer
Mar 6, 2008
10,110
5
81
Originally posted by: polarmystery
FBI, floss brush irrigate.

That's what every dentist has told me.

While I don't see the need to include the feds in dental care, I too was told by my dentist to floss, brush, then rinse.
 

Buttzilla

Platinum Member
Oct 12, 2000
2,676
1
81
you brush first then floss, then follow with mouthwash. brushing cleans the surface, flossing gets in between, mouthwash/rinse will eliminate whatever you just flossed out. if you floss first then brush you essentially push particles/bacteria back between your teeth.
 

coldmeat

Diamond Member
Jul 10, 2007
9,234
142
106
I floss all the time. When I'm driving, when I'm watching tv, when I'm on the computer. It's just a habit. I carry one of these with me all the time.
 

mb

Lifer
Jun 27, 2004
10,233
2
71
Since this is the topic of the thread:

It does not matter whether you floss or brush first. It really only matters that you do floss.