A dental hygienist we met recently told us we should floss before brushing instead of after.

“No way” was my first reaction. I thought I had my dental hygiene routine down.

It turns out she was right. Flossing first loosens and removes food particles and plaque between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.

Once the spaces between teeth are clean, toothpaste’s fluoride can reach more surfaces and protect them better.

This logic made sense. And it has shown up in studies too (like this one).

3 takeaways –

(1) It is amazing how you can do something every day for so many years and realize there is a better way to do it.

(2) It is more important to floss than worry about the order. So that’s the first habit to nail.

(3) And assuming you do, floss before brushing.