You know brushing is vital but what about flossing order? Flossing before brushing may give you a cleaner mouth and better fluoride protection. Flossing first helps loosen food and plaque between the teeth, so your toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste can then sweep them away more effectively. In this article, we’ll explain why the order of flossing and brushing matters, the benefits of different types of floss, how to use dental floss, and answer common questions about flossing and brushing routines.
Do You Floss Before or After Brushing?
What are the Benefits of Flossing?
Should You Floss in the Morning or at Night?
Types of Floss for Optimal Oral Health
How to Floss Properly Step-by-Step
Flossing with Dentures or Dental Implants
Do You Floss Before or After Brushing?
You may have heard mixed advice on whether to floss before or after brushing. When you floss, you remove debris and plaque from between your teeth and just below the gumline. This loosens the buildup that brushing alone can’t reach.
A detailed study in the Journal of Periodontology found that participants who flossed first had significantly less plaque left in their mouths and higher fluoride levels after brushing than those who brushed first. In other words, flossing first lets the fluoride in your toothpaste stay on your teeth longer, strengthening enamel and fighting cavities.
Flossing dislodges bits of food between teeth, and then brushing completes the cleaning on all tooth surfaces. Imagine floss loosening dirt and brushing as sweeping it clean. By flossing before brushing, you give your toothbrush a clearer path to scrub all areas. For maximum plaque removal and fluoride uptake, flossing first is a great habit.
What are the Benefits of Flossing?
Flossing isn’t just a chore – it has big payoffs for your oral (and overall) health. Brushing cleans the outer and chewing surfaces of your teeth, but flossing cleans the spaces that brushes can’t reach.
Flossing benefits include:
Removing plaque and food from between teeth (where toothbrushes can’t reach)
Preventing gingivitis and gum disease by keeping the gumline clean
Lowering cavity risk on tooth sides
Improving breath by removing trapped food
Supporting overall health by helping prevent heart disease and other conditions linked to poor oral health
Floss removes plaque (the sticky biofilm of bacteria that forms between teeth) before it hardens into tartar. This helps prevent gingivitis (gum inflammation) and periodontitis (gum disease). The NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) emphasizes that flossing cleans all sides of your teeth and disrupts plaque formation.
Regular flossing also reduces the risk of cavities between teeth. Without flossing, plaque bacteria feast on trapped food, producing acids that erode enamel. Over time, this can cause tooth decay in spots brushing missed.
Should You Floss Morning or Night?
Many dentists recommend flossing at night before bed. The reason? You don’t want plaque and food particles sitting between your teeth overnight while your saliva production drops. Saliva helps wash away bacteria, and with less of it while you sleep, your mouth becomes a prime environment for decay and gum inflammation. Flossing before bed ensures you go to sleep with a cleaner mouth.
Flossing at night also fits well into a full nighttime routine. Floss first to remove debris between the teeth, then brush to remove surface plaque and apply fluoride. This combo gives your enamel added protection while you rest.
Types of Floss for Optimal Oral Health
Flossing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Different types of dental floss exist to meet the needs of different mouths and choosing the right one can make floss more effective. If you’ve ever wondered why some floss shreds or feels too thick (or too thin), it might be time to explore other options. The best floss is the one you’ll use every day, so it’s worth finding the right fit for your teeth, gums, and dexterity.
Standard Nylon Floss
This is the classic waxed or unwaxed string floss you see in most dental aisles. It’s made from nylon strands and comes in various flavors. Waxed floss slides more easily between tight contacts, while unwaxed floss tends to squeak (which some people prefer because it signals plaque removal). Nylon floss may fray or break if your teeth are very close together.
PTFE Floss (Monofilament Floss)
This floss is made from a single strand (like Gore-Tex® material), making it stronger and more shred-resistant than nylon. It glides smoothly between tight teeth and is ideal if regular floss tears or catches. PTFE floss is great for beginners or those with dental work like crowns or bridges.
Dental Tape
Flatter and wider than standard floss, dental tape is a great choice for people with wider spaces between their teeth or those just getting started with flossing. Its smooth surface can be easier on sensitive gums and more comfortable to maneuver.
Floss Picks
Floss picks combine a short piece of floss stretched across a plastic holder. They’re popular for convenience, especially if you struggle with reaching back teeth or have limited hand mobility. Picks aren’t quite as effective at wrapping around each tooth, but they’re better than not flossing at all. Some dentists recommend using them as a steppingstone toward string floss.
Super Floss
Super floss is specially designed for people with braces, bridges, or wide gaps. It includes three parts: a stiff end for threading under braces or bridges, a spongy section for cleaning around the hardware, and regular floss for the gumline.
Expanding Floss
Expanding floss is made from a special fiber that expands when it comes into contact with moisture. It will grow to fit the gap between your teeth, which can give it an advantage when it comes to removing plaque from all surfaces.
Interdental Brushes
Interdental brushes are tiny brushes that are thicker than floss, meaning they cannot squeeze into the smallest gaps, but they are still a very helpful tool for cleaning between your teeth. The brush sits on a base of flexible wire, and the bristles gently massage your gums, cleaning between larger interdental gaps more effectively than floss.
Water Flossers (Oral Irrigators)
While not technically floss, water flossers use a targeted stream of water to flush debris and plaque from between teeth and below the gumline. They’re especially helpful for people with braces, implants, or arthritis. Use a water flosser before brushing to maximize the cleaning effect and help fluoride stay on your teeth. If you also use string floss, you can use the water flosser either before or after this. It’s a matter of comfort and routine.
How to Floss Properly Step-by-Step
Flossing is simple, and learning how to floss correctly ensures you get the full benefit. Dentists recommend these basic steps (sometimes called the “C-shaped” flossing method).
Step 1: Use enough floss.
Break off about 18 inches of dental floss (waxed or unwaxed). Wind most of it around one middle finger and the rest around the opposite middle finger. You’ll “use up” clean floss as you go.
Step 2: Grip it right.
Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Keep a 1–2-inch section of floss free for cleaning each tooth.
Step 3: Gently slide between teeth.
Curve the floss between two teeth using a gentle back-and-forth motion. Do not snap or force it, which can hurt gums.
Step 4: Form a “C” around the tooth.
When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it against one tooth in a C-shape. Slide it up and down the tooth surface and under the gumline to remove plaque.
Step 5: Repeat for each tooth.
Use a clean floss section for each gap. Work methodically around your mouth, even reaching back teeth. Floss both sides of every tooth, including behind the last molars.
Tip: Be gentle on gums. If your gums bleed a little at first, that’s normal if you’re starting fresh. With regular flossing it will improve. If bleeding persists, check with a dentist.
If handling string floss is not possible or too hard, feel free to use floss picks or a water flosser. The key is to clean between every tooth once a day. Flossers and picks can be easier for some, but make sure they reach under the gumline, not just between teeth.
How to Use a Water Flosser
If you have never used a water flosser before, here’s how to do it. These devices are easy to use and increasingly popular. They can help you clean between your teeth if traditional flossing is not possible for you because of mobility issues, and can also be added to your regular routine alongside traditional flossing for an extra fresh feeling.
Fill your water flosser’s reservoir with lukewarm water.
Starting with your molars, direct the water flow between your teeth and along the gum line, moving along systematically.
It should take about two minutes to clean your whole mouth.
Make sure you empty the flosser’s water reservoir and clean your device afterwards every time.
Flossing with Dentures or Dental Implants
If you have dentures or dental implants, you might be unsure how flossing fits into your routine or whether it’s even necessary. The truth is that oral hygiene remains just as important (if not more so) with replacement teeth.
While you don’t floss traditional dentures the same way you do natural teeth, you still need to clean around them carefully. And if you have implants, bridges, or partials, flossing (or floss alternatives) plays a critical role in keeping your gums and restoration sites healthy.
Flossing with Dentures
If you wear a partial denture, you need to floss your remaining natural teeth daily, just like anyone else. If you wear full dentures (removable upper and/or lower plates), there are no natural teeth to floss. However, you still need to:
Clean your gums and tongue daily to remove bacteria and prevent infections.
Brush your dentures daily with a soft denture brush—not regular toothpaste, which is too abrasive.
Soak dentures overnight in a denture-safe cleanser to remove plaque, stains, and odor-causing bacteria.
Flossing isn’t needed between artificial teeth, but keeping your mouth clean is just as essential.
Flossing with Dental Implants
Implants look and function like natural teeth, and they need daily care to avoid complications like peri-implantitis (a form of gum disease around the implant). This means:
Flossing around your implants daily is important to remove plaque and food particles.
Using a suitable floss, soft picks, or interdental brushes. These tools can gently clean around the implant crown and along the gumline.
Water flossers are often recommended for implants, especially for hard-to-reach areas.
If you’ve had implants placed recently, your dental provider may give you a specific flossing routine or suggest gentler tools while you heal. Once healed, the goal is the same as with natural teeth and prevent plaque buildup.
Ready for healthier gums?
Dentists universally agree – floss daily. Here’s a quick refresher on the best way to build your daily flossing and brushing routine:
Floss first – Use 18 inches of floss and wrap it around your fingers. Slide gently between teeth and curve into a “C” shape around each side. Move the floss up and down under the gumline. Use a fresh section of floss for each tooth. If string floss is difficult, try floss picks, interdental brushes, or a water flosser.
Brush second – Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean all tooth surfaces and apply enamel-strengthening fluoride.
Rinse last (optional) – If using mouthwash, wait until after brushing and flossing so it reaches clean surfaces.
If you have any questions about your brushing or flossing habits, or if you need help with denture care and maintenance, our general dentistry team is here for you. Schedule your consultation at Affordable Dentures & Implants for personalized oral hygiene guidance and support.
Flossing FAQs
How often should you floss?
Ideally, you should floss every day. Early stage gum disease, or gingivitis, can begin to develop in only 24 hours, and flossing will help protect your gums and keep them healthy.
How many times a day should I floss?
The American Dental Association recommends that you should floss once a day. Many dentists say that night time is the best time to floss, as it will give your teeth extra protection while you sleep.
Can you floss too much?
Flossing is safe, but you can floss excessively by being too rough – this could wear down the enamel of your teeth, or hurt your gum tissue and cause your gums to recede. Remember to be gentle when flossing.
Why do my gums bleed when I floss?
It’s very common for gums to bleed a little when flossing, especially if you haven’t flossed your teeth in a while. They should bleed less when you are consistent in your flossing. Flossing too roughly can also make your gums bleed. But if they bleed despite consistent, gentle flossing, you should talk to your dentist as it could be a sign of underlying issues like gum disease.
Is water flossing effective?
Yes, water flossing can clean your teeth and the gaps between them effectively, especially for people who cannot use traditional dental floss. However, it does not have the same scraping effect, meaning that if you can use traditional floss as well, you should.
Is dental floss biodegradable?
Most conventional dental floss is not biodegradable. It’s often made from nylon or Teflon (PTFE), both of which are synthetic plastics that do not break down naturally. However, biodegradable options are available, made from materials like silk, corn-based PLA, or bamboo fiber, and are often coated in natural wax.
Is dental floss toxic?
Floss itself isn't inherently bad for you. It's the materials and additives in some types of floss that some people prefer to avoid. Some types of floss, like those made from PTFE, may contain chemicals such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency to be linked to potential health risks. Not all dental floss contain PFAS but those that are labeled as "natural" or “eco-friendly” might be most likely to be free of these ingredients.
What is dental floss made of?
Common materials include:
Nylon: The most widely used; strong and flexible.
PTFE (Teflon): Glides easily but may contain PFAS.
Silk: Natural, biodegradable alternative.
Bamboo fiber or corn-based PLA: Found in eco-conscious floss brands.
Floss may be coated with wax (beeswax, petroleum-based, or plant-based), flavoring agents (like mint), or essential oils.
Are floss picks as good as floss?
Floss picks can help, especially for people who struggle with traditional floss. However:
Traditional floss reaches more curved surfaces, making it easier to clean your teeth with the C-shape flossing method which follows the natural shape of your teeth.
Floss picks are less economical as they are generally single use, and offer you less length of floss. This means you will find yourself using the same piece of floss in multiple different places in the mouth, putting you at risk of spreading bacteria around.
Water flossers (like Waterpik) can be a strong alternative or supplement to dental floss picks.
For best results, use traditional floss, but if that’s not possible, floss picks are good too, as are water flossers.
What is the best dental floss to use?
For most people, waxed or textured floss offers the best balance between effectiveness and comfort. The best floss depends on your needs. People who would prefer to avoid PFAS chemicals might prefer to use natural or biodegradable floss which is made with different ingredients. For people who need to floss around dental bridges or braces, a tool like a water flosser or floss threader can help you clean between and around these appliances.