Just Do It!

Well and Good (9/24, McPhillips) considers the question of whether to floss before or after brushing teeth, featuring comments from Dr. Edmond R. Hewlett, an ADA spokesperson and a professor at UCLA, and Dr. Philippe Hujoel, a professor at the University of Washington. “Doing them both is what’s most important for your overall health,” the article says.

MouthHealthy.org, ADA’s consumer website, provides additional information on flossing and states that “the most important thing about cleaning between your teeth is to do it. As long as you do a thorough job, it doesn’t matter when. Pick a time of day when you can devote an extra couple of minutes to your dental care. People who are too tired at the end of the day may benefit from cleaning between their teeth first thing in the morning or after lunch. Others might like to go to bed with a clean mouth.