Which Order of Brush/Floss/Waterpik? | Eau Claire Park Dental (2024)

FAQs

Which Order of Brush/Floss/Waterpik? | Eau Claire Park Dental? ›

Most people brush, floss and then use mouthwash. And some just brush, skipping the other two steps. As it turns out, it's actually more effective to floss, use mouthwash, then brush, according to dentists — and they don't recommend skipping any steps.

Most people brush, floss and then use mouthwash. And some just brush, skipping the other two steps. As it turns out, it's actually more effective to floss, use mouthwash, then brush, according to dentists — and they don't recommend skipping any steps.

Instead, most dentists recommend using a Waterpik as a complement to flossing. For example, you could floss once per day and use your Waterpik after you floss to blast away any debris that was loosened while flossing. Or, you could use a Waterpik in the morning and evening, and floss once per day after lunch.

While it may be surprising, a study has found that flossing first followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is more effective in removing interdental plaque than brushing first, flossing second. In addition, flossing before brushing results in greater fluoride retention between teeth.

Both Waterpiks and flossing are good ways to take care of your teeth and gums along with brushing. The ADA recommends brushing twice a day and cleaning in between your teeth once a day. For the ultimate in teeth cleaning and plaque removal, consider using both twice a day.

Regular visits to the dentist. Making biannual trips to the dentist is a foundation of routine dental care. These check-ins allow the provider to find problem areas and address them.

Is Water Flossing as Good as Dental Floss? The American Dental Association says water flossers with the ADA Seal of Acceptance can get rid of plaque. That's the film that turns into tartar and leads to cavities and gum disease. But some studies find water flossers don't remove plaque as well as traditional floss.

The Mayo Clinic recommends using mouthwash after brushing and flossing your teeth. However, the National Health Service (NHS) recommends avoiding mouthwash right after brushing, since this may wash away the fluoride from your toothpaste. Instead, the NHS recommends using mouthwash at a different time of day.

Brushing your teeth before you eat breakfast may protect your tooth enamel and overall oral health, compared to brushing after eating. If you prefer doing it after each meal, you may want to wait about 30-60 minutes.

Can bacteria grow in Waterpik? ›

Keeping the tool clean aids in the removal of potentially harmful particles such as spores, bacteria, and mycotoxins, as well as potential food sources such as organic matter and mineral buildup.It also helps ensure that the machine continues to work properly; a malfunctioning waterpik is an open door for retaining ...

However, it's important to recognize that a Waterpik is not intended to replace your daily flossing. Instead, it should be used to improve your flossing routine, allowing deeper cleaning and gingivitis prevention. Water flossers cannot clean as closely as traditional floss.

Proper sequencing is a critical component of a successful treatment plan. Complex treatment plans often should be sequenced in phases, including an urgent phase, control phase, re-evaluation phase, definitive phase, and maintenance phase.

Helpful Tips

Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Clean between teeth regularly, aiming for once a day. Use dental floss or a special brush or wooden or plastic pick recommended by a dental professional. Or try a floss holder, floss threader, or water flosser.

67 There are five components to the dental hygiene process of care (assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation).