Should I floss before or after brushing, and why? (teeth, gums, mouthwash)
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I'm getting mixed responses. Also, what's the opinion on using hydrogen peroxide as mouthwash and to whiten teeth? I've done it for a couple months, and I'd swear my teeth are whiter.
I floss before brushing. No idea on the "correct" protocol though. As for using peroxide as mouthwash - I'd suggest not doing that. Using toothpaste that has peroxide as one of the ingredients, or applying a whitening strip with a peroxide gel on it, is not the same thing as swishing it around your mouth. Peroxide, being a form of bleach, can damage tissue (the inside of your mouth - cheeks, gums, upper/lower palate, tongue) over time.
There's really no prescribed time per se to floss. I would rather my patients pick a time they remember best so that it gets done. You could floss the top at night and the bottom in the morning for example. Just get it done! ;-) As to using straight Hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash is not a good idea as AnonChick mentioned.
The whitestrips are a great, safe way to whiten your teeth.
If you floss daily, I'd flossl first. flossing removes hidden material and brings it out in the open, where it accessible to the brush. If I only flossed when needed, I'd floss after dinner while watching TV and then brush at bedtime.
Well, personally, I brush, then floss, then use a metal dental pick like the one the dental hygienist uses, then brush again, and recently I have started using Crest Pro-Health Oral Rinse. And I have found that the Pro-Health oral rinse does a fantastic job of preventing plaque formation. It was recommended to me by my oral hygienist.
Every dentist I've had has always said "to be sure and floss after you brush your teeth".
So I would say do whatever way is convenient for you, but just be sure to floss.
Most of the dentist ask their patient to floss after brushing. Last time when I consulted with my dentist at Prestige Dental Center he asked me to floss every time after brushing. But he asked me to use fluoride mouthwash for flossing.
If you floss daily, I'd flossl first. flossing removes hidden material and brings it out in the open, where it accessible to the brush. If I only flossed when needed, I'd floss after dinner while watching TV and then brush at bedtime.
This is the correct answer. The fluoride in the toothpaste is able to penetrate areas that may have been covered by biofilm/plaque before the flossing action.
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