Which is More Important: Brushing or Flossing?
Well, that is an interesting question! Like everything in life, it depends on who you ask!
Everyone has an opinion! In reality, both are important!
This Dental hygienist believes that if you have to pick just one, do not skip tooth brushing.
Depending on your teeth, you may not even need to floss. If your teeth do not touch, you can skip the floss.
Oral health is important not only to your mouth but also to your general health and well-being.
The American Dental Association advises brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. The ADA also recommends flossing at least once per day.
But is brushing or flossing more important? Ultimately you will need to decide for yourself.
Brushing and flossing are both important for your oral health. Both should be done together. For optimum health, brushing and flossing aren’t really an either/or comparison. They go hand in hand like PB&J, Batman, and Robin Salt & Pepper.
However, if you had to pick one, my answer would be brushing, and it is more important if done correctly! 45% angle toward the gums getting all go the surfaces.
The goal of brushing and flossing is to remove plaque buildup. Plaque consists of active colonies of destructive bacteria, which basically eat and then excrete (poop) acids on our teeth. Brushing only removes plaque from the front and back surfaces of your teeth.
Flossing, on the other hand, allows you to remove plaque from between your teeth. These hard-to-reach spots are where the most destructive microbes live. Failure to remove plaque from these areas can cause cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. If your teeth do not touch, you do need to floss.
Proper oral hygiene not only helps keep your teeth and gums healthy, it keeps your breath fresh, and it may also help prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, preterm delivery, and Alzheimer’s, to name a few. Good oral hygiene habits may help keep more than just your mouth healthy.
If flossing is not for you, a waterpik is an excellent option to get in-between the teeth. I love my cordless waterpik! I use it every day. It does make a difference in my mouth.
Next time you Brush and floss, remember the simple habit of brushing twice a day, and getting in between the teeth at least once a day may improve not only your smile but your overall health, as well. It has been said flossing add six years to your life. I do not know where that came from, but I do know studies have shown dental disease are linked to many systemic diseases in the body. If you want to have a healthy mouth, you must be consistent with your oral health habits.
A healthy mouth starts with you and what you choose to do daily. One out of two people have gingivitis, and it is 100 % reversible just by brushing and flossing.
Caring for your mouth is just like cleaning your house. You need more than one tool to clean your entire home; the same goes for your mouth. You may need several tools to keep your mouth or the mouth of a loved one healthy. I recommend starting with your toothbrush before you add another tool.
An electric toothbrush is ten times more effective than a manual. I recommend the Burst toothbrush. You can find the link on the resource page if you are interested. I have a promo code that will save you $30 on a brush Promo code 5ZMZBR.
You will need to choose the right tools for you, Manual vs. electric floss vs. waterpik. What works for one person does not always work for another. We are all different with different backgrounds, traditions, wants, needs, beliefs. I recommend following what works for you and your family. Do not compare your self to others. I get it. I have been there. I say no to some things because I am more worried about the judgment it will bring from the people around me. That was a learned behavior that I am trying to teach my daughter not to have. Everyone has an opinion.
So on that note, in my opinion, is brushing more important than flossing? Ideally, you would do both, but if you were going to have to skip something, skip flossing!
Physically consistently removing the plaque bacteria and biofilm and controlling the pH of your mouth is what is ultimately going to keep your mouth disease-free.
Which one is more important? Well, that is for you to choose yourself!
If there were something else you would like me to share or discuss, post in the comment below.
