I've always wondered if the order actually matters or if it's more about consistency overall. Like, does anyone else get anxious thinking they're messing up their teeth by doing it "wrong"? My dentist never mentioned flossing first or second, just to make sure I'm doing it daily. Now I'm curious—has anyone noticed a real difference in dental visits or gum health after changing up their routine?
Totally get where you're coming from with that anxiety—you're definitely not alone there. Honestly, the most important thing is exactly what your dentist said: consistency. Flossing daily, regardless of when you do it, is already a huge win for your oral health. I've seen plenty of patients who stress about the order, but in practice, it doesn't seem to make a massive difference as long as they're thorough.
That said, there's actually some research suggesting flossing before brushing might have a slight advantage. The idea is that flossing first loosens up plaque and food particles between your teeth, and then brushing afterward helps sweep all that debris away more effectively. I've recommended this to some of my patients who were struggling with gum inflammation or plaque buildup, and a few have mentioned noticing their mouths feeling cleaner overall. But honestly, it's subtle—nothing dramatic enough to stress over if you're already flossing regularly.
As for mouthwash, it's usually best to use it last, after brushing and flossing. Think of it as a finishing rinse—it helps flush out any leftover particles and gives your mouth that fresh feeling. But again, if you prefer mouthwash at another point in your routine, it's not going to ruin your dental health or anything.
From my experience, the patients who see real improvements in gum health are the ones who go from rarely flossing (or skipping it altogether) to doing it consistently every day. The order itself is secondary. So don't sweat it too much—you're already doing great by making flossing part of your daily routine. Keep it up, and your gums will thank you at your next check-up.
"Flossing daily, regardless of when you do it, is already a huge win for your oral health."
Glad someone else mentioned this! I used to stress so much about the exact order—floss, brush, mouthwash—and honestly, it just made me dread the whole routine. Once I relaxed and focused on consistency instead of perfection, my gums improved noticeably. Now I floss first because it feels cleaner to me personally, but yeah...the key really is just doing it regularly.
Totally relate to this. I spent way too long worrying about the "correct" order, especially when I had braces—felt like I needed a spreadsheet just to keep track, lol. Eventually, I realized the same thing you did:
"the key really is just doing it regularly."
Now I floss after brushing simply because it feels satisfying to catch anything I missed. But honestly, as long as you're consistent, your gums will thank you...and your dentist probably will too.
