Better to floss before or after you brush?

I always brush, floss, then mouthwash. Seemed like a logical progression to me to get the major stuff cleaned with a brush, then get in the cracks with the floss, then rinse it all out with the mouthwash.

If you don't mouthwash, I would floss before brushing since brushing and rinsing takes care of the stuff from the floss. Otherwise, if you brush then floss, the floss stuff is left in the mouth.

My dentist recommends floss (to break stuff loose) - brush (to clean it all up) - mouthwash (to get into any crevises you've missed)

If you mouthwash first, you're just washing the outside of the stuff you're going to floss & brush off.

But don't use mouthwash with alcohol in it (which most have), it's bad for your gums.

thanks. you guys are the best!

i used to floss after brushing, until a friend put it this way: would you mop before you sweep? then i switched.

FLOSS BEFORE YOU BRUSH!!!! get the gunk out before you do the final sweep.

brush, floss, brush, wash

@trystan: sure, but why? =)

because i’m OCD. lol.
you get the shit off- brush- get the shit out- floss- clean one more time- brush- wash it all away- and don’t forget your tongue. that’s where most of your bad breath bacteria comes from.

do you floss your teeth before or after brushing your teeth?

I don’t floss anymore. I ended cracking a tooth because the floss got stuck. Flossing is a very expensive activity for me. Instead I use a water pik. It’s far more effective anyway.

Flossing is more effective than using the Water Pik. Water Piks are, however, a great addition to brushing and flossing! Brush, floss, brush, then rinse with a non-alcohol based mouthrinse.

@teeth2008 Interesting. My dentist told me the exact opposite, that a water pik would be more effective. I guess it depends on whose opinion you get.

Daughter worked for orthodontist who advised the FBI method. Floss Brush Irrigate.