Everything You Want to Know About Flossing But Were Afraid to Ask

So. You think you know how to floss. Well, is it better to brush first or floss first? Should you floss in the morning or at night?

Well, if you don't know the answer to that, here's Denis F. Kinane, professor of pathology and periodontics at the University of Pennsylvania's Penn Dental Medicine (I mean, you can't get anyone more experienced than that, right) with the secrets of being the perfect flossing:

Is it better to floss first or brush first?

The typical regime would be brushing, flossing and rinsing. Flossing cleans out places where the toothbrush can't reach. But if you were on a desert island and could only bring one dental-health item, choose a toothbrush.

What about morning versus evening?

Your teeth are typically covered in microbial plaque, or biofilm, which is understood to be linked to every disease caused by infection, from strep and on.

When you should remove that plaque depends on why you're removing it in the first place. If you are removing it for prevention of tooth decay or periodontal disease—such as gingivitis, which destroys the root and makes the teeth fall out—then I believe it's best at night. This gives you an eight-hour, food-free rest so your mouth can fight against the ravages it faces all day.

If you floss in the morning, because you have to say hello to people and want nice teeth, that is useful—but less so from a biological point of view. Although it should be noted that this has never been researched—call it the Kinane Hypothesis.

Read more over at Wall Street Journal: Link


I end up flossing more than once a day because the way my teeth are, fibers and seeds get stuck way too often. And since I have the floss out, I may as well go over all of them.
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