Should You Floss Before or After Brushing?

12 październik 2026

Short answer

Floss first. In the one trial designed to test the order, flossing before brushing removed more plaque and kept more fluoride between the teeth, and the NHS recommends flossing before brushing. The American Dental Association says either order is fine as long as you are thorough. Cleaning between your teeth once a day matters more than when you do it.

What did the study find?

The trial was published in the Journal of Periodontology in 2018. Twenty-five people tried both orders. When they flossed before brushing, they had less plaque between their teeth and across the whole mouth, and more fluoride from the toothpaste stayed between the teeth.

The explanation the researchers give is that floss loosens debris from between the teeth, and brushing and spitting afterwards clears it away.

What do the dental bodies say?

American Dental Association: "Either way is acceptable as long as the cleaning is thorough."
NHS: "It's best to floss before brushing your teeth."
American Academy of Periodontology: flossing first may reduce plaque, and the important thing is to do both every day.

How often should you clean between your teeth?

Once a day. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day and cleaning between the teeth once a day.

Does it have to be string floss?

No. The American Dental Association's advice is to use floss or another cleaner made for the gaps between teeth. A Cochrane review of 35 trials found that adding floss or interdental brushes to toothbrushing may reduce plaque or gum inflammation more than brushing alone.

The best tool is the one you will use every day. If ordinary floss slips or shreds, a thicker woven floss such as Cocofloss is easier to grip.