It’s a little bit like the chicken-or-egg question: which should you do first, brush your teeth, or floss them? Patients ask us that sometimes, at Thompson & Frey Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Owensboro.
Some dentists will tell you it’s better to floss first. That way, you loosen plaque, or food debris from between your teeth, and brush it away. Also, you won’t be tempted to skip flossing after you’ve brushed.
On the other hand, there are dentists who say it’s better to brush first.
According to one survey, there’s about a fifty-fifty split among Americans, with a slight edge going to those who brush first. We think you should do whichever you prefer. Just be sure to do both!
Our recommendations are in line with the American Dental Association:
- Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day
- Use a soft-bristle brush, replaced every three months
- Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle at the gum line
- Brush in circular, half-tooth-wide strokes
- Be sure to get the back teeth
- Be sure to get in, outer, and top surfaces
- Don’t forget your tongue!
- With flossing, use about eighteen inches of floss, so you’ve got a clean piece for each section
Brushing and flossing are an essential part of your dental health regimen, and so is proper technique. At Thompson & Frey Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Owensboro we encourage all our patients to do both, in whatever order works best! Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next checkup today.
Contact Thompson & Frey Cosmetic & Family Dentistry:
270-683-0620
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
3164 Alvey Park Dr E
Owensboro, Kentucky
42303
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