BRUSHING and flossing are often discussed as if they are competing dental habits, with people asking which one matters more.
In reality, they perform different jobs. Brushing cleans the surfaces of the teeth, while flossing reaches areas a toothbrush cannot effectively access. Together, they form the foundation of daily oral hygiene.
A toothbrush is designed primarily to remove dental plaque and food debris from the accessible surfaces of the teeth. Brushing also delivers fluoride from toothpaste to the teeth, helping strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Dental professionals generally recommend brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, using gentle movements and spending enough time to clean all tooth surfaces.
However, even careful brushing has limitations. Toothbrush bristles cannot effectively reach the tight spaces between neighboring teeth or fully clean beneath the gumline. These areas can become sites where plaque accumulates.
Dental floss is designed to clean between the teeth. By sliding gently along the sides of the teeth and under the gumline, floss can remove plaque and food particles that a toothbrush may leave behind.
Interdental cleaning is particularly important because plaque that remains between teeth can contribute to tooth decay and gum inflammation.
Floss is not the only option. People who have difficulty using traditional string floss may use interdental brushes, water flossers or other dentist-recommended devices. The most appropriate method can depend on the size of the spaces between the teeth, dental appliances and individual needs.
Which should come first? For most people, the important issue is not whether brushing or flossing comes first, but whether both are done consistently and correctly.
Some dental professionals recommend cleaning between the teeth before brushing because it can loosen plaque and food particles, allowing them to be brushed away afterward. Others emphasize that either order can be effective if both practices are performed thoroughly.
The key is to avoid treating flossing as an occasional activity reserved for when food becomes stuck between the teeth.
What happens when one is skipped? Brushing without cleaning between the teeth leaves some surfaces exposed to plaque buildup. Over time, this may contribute to cavities between teeth and gum disease.
Flossing without brushing, meanwhile, does not adequately clean the broad surfaces of the teeth or provide the protective benefits of fluoride toothpaste.
Neither practice is a substitute for the other. Rather, technique matters.
Improper flossing can injure the gums. Floss should be guided gently between the teeth rather than forced or snapped into the gums. Once between the teeth, it should be moved against the sides of each tooth to remove plaque.
Brushing should also be gentle. Excessive pressure can irritate the gums and contribute to tooth wear, particularly when combined with an abrasive brushing technique.
Regular dental examinations remain important because professional cleaning and dental assessment can identify problems that home care cannot always detect.
The comparison between brushing and flossing therefore has a simple conclusion: they are partners, not rivals.
Brushing cleans where a toothbrush can reach and delivers fluoride to the teeth. Flossing and other interdental methods clean spaces that brushing misses.
Making both habits part of a consistent daily routine gives teeth and gums a much better chance of remaining healthy over the long term.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
