Whenever you’re in the Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry office in Old Town Alexandria, we make sure to remind you to brush and floss every day. In general, we say brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss at least once. Too many patients heed that first bit of advice, but unfortunately ignore the second.
Flossing between your teeth is every bit as important to your dental health as brushing is, but it has a different role. Where brushing removes plaque from the surface of the teeth and along the gum line, flossing gets into the tight spaces between your teeth. It loosens the debris that always gets wedged in, and any plaque building up.
In short, it gets those places that your toothbrush can’t.
Should you floss before brushing, or after? The jury is out on that one. Some research suggests that flossing first can make brushing more effective. The idea is that after flossing, there is less gunk between your teeth. The fluoride in your toothpaste is able to get in there better.
Before or after – do whatever you prefer. Just don’t forget to floss!
We think of flossing as the detail work. Brushing gets most of the work done, but it takes floss to get into those tight places, and leave your mouth as clean as it can be.
That’s why, for the best of dental health, the Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry in Old Town Alexandria urges you to brush AND floss. We also want to see you every six months for a cleaning and checkup. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.
Contact Mt. Vernon Center For Dentistry:
703-360-5881
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
8101 Hinson Farm Rd Ste 114
Alexandria, Virginia
22306
