are dental posts ok?

[dklaiman]

For as long as I can remember, I've been flossing my teeth and then brushing them. My former dentist retired and sold his practice. The new dentist told me I'm doing it wrong and that I need to brush and then floss. He couldn't provide an explanation that made sense to me. As long as I'm doing both, does the order matter, and if so, why?

Thanks.

-Dave

[bigred90gt]

Perhaps if you floss first, using the tooth brush could push some of what you got out back in between your teeth? that is the only reason I could think of.

[dpm802]

What did your old dentist say about your method?

And unless the new dentist can provide rationalization for his advice, you can probably feel safe continuing to floss before brushing.

Personally, I hate flossing, but I do like using those pulsing-water-jet types of oral hygiene tools. I use that after brushing.

Another good tip is after brushing out the major debris from your mouth, rinse with a capful of hydrogen peroxide for about a minute. Just swish it around. It will foam up when it finds any bacteria, and leave a really funky taste in your mouth, so be prepared to brush again and rinse with water or mouthwash.

[Walker]

My dentist flosses me as part of his cleaning process. If memory serves me right he brushes and then flosses me. But at home I floss then brush. Interesting. If you ever find out why he said this let us know. I'm curious as to why it should be done that way. I would say it didn't matter just as long as you did it.

[dklaiman]

What did your old dentist say about your method?


He didn't say anything other than everything looks fine.

[dklaiman]

I posted the same question on a different site, too. I got this response from a dentist:

If you floss first the brushing removes some of the gunk that the floss pulled out. However it really doesn't matter as long as you floss.

[wilsonent]

Personally, I like to brush away the gunk I get out from flossing. By the way, you don't HAVE to floss all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep.

[LegalEagle143]

I know this is an annoying response, but with that said, this is exactly the kind of thing I would Google.


**So I just Googled it and after a very quick and very unscientific poll of people I don't know, it seems like everyone flosses first.

[bazwalk]

I brush before and after flossing !:w00t:

[dklaiman]

I agree. But when I googled it there was no concensus, so I figured if a dentist could give a basis for either order it would answer the question for me.

[dklaiman]

I brush before and after flossing

That's just showing off.

[Doc4]

That's just showing off.

He lives in Montana.

[bald1]

Just to compound things...... in addition to traditional flossing and brushing (I use an electric these days), consider a waterpic. I opted for one installed in my shower (ShowerPic) to obviate the mess the standard units make around the sink. My dentist and dental hygienist both have indicated that my use has further improved my gum health and reduced plaque build up even more.

[chfair]

floss before personally, brush away anything the floss gets out. dentist always says my teeth look great so i never bother to change the order.

[ddstb]

You are in luck! I happen to have a very close relationship with my dentist...she is my wife. We were married before she went to dental school and I tried very hard to get her to become an orthopedic surgeon to fix my knees.

I posed the question to her, and she said that she recommends flossing then brushing. The brushing will remove anything that the flossing loosens. Her partner recommends just the opposite, saying that flossing after brushing pushes toothpaste between the teeth. No consensus within the same office. :001_huh:

She said that as long as you do both, you are in good shape. :thumbup:

[pal]

Your dentist should be glad at least you are flossing.

[slcsteve]

My wife is a Dentist as well. She said that most studies have shown that flossing removes the debris between your teeth and brushing/rinsing then flushes the debris away. That said, I don't floss but use a perio brush instead. Not as effective but better than nothing.

[toucanlamp]

Maybe he'll try and tell you that you're actually doing it all really wrong and you should come in to have the attendents professionally floss you before bedtime each night for $75.

[dklaiman]

Maybe he'll try and tell you that you're actually doing it all really wrong and you should come in to have the attendents professionally floss you before bedtime each night for $75.


I think Tiger Woods tried that excuse.

[SliceOfLife]

Floss? You mean that stuff for getting apple skin out of your teeth?

[Mr. Beaver]

I brush first, and then floss. It just seems logical; like doing the first pass of a shave to get the worst of it. After flossing, I rinse with Listerine, so that washes away anything the floss loosens up.

Furthermore, every dentist I've ever been to brushes and then flosses. You guys with spouses who are dentists, what do they do in their office?

[schwartr]

I like to floss, rinse with mouthwash to get rid of any loose bit of stuff, then brush. But Im not a dentist.

[hifigeezer]

Flossers: Glide brand floss is great. It is Gore-Tex coated and never shreds, great for tight spaces. Probably not the best for sawing through prison bars (see Mythbusters).

[HoratioCaine]

Personally, I hate flossing, but I do like using those pulsing-water-jet types of oral hygiene tools. I use that after brushing.


I don't particuarly enjoy flossing, either, but I do it because there really is no substitute for it. Also, my ex g/f, who used to work for an oral surgeon, says going without flossing increases the likelihood of funky breath. Water-Piks are great, but they're not a substitute for flossing. They won't get under your gums the way floss will.

As per the OP, I asked my dentist the question, and he said it didn't matter, as long as I'm flossing. I prefer to start with a Water-Pik, to get out the bigger debris. Then I floss. Then I brush with a Sonicare. I prefer it this way, to get rid of whatever crud is removed from the flossing. Then I use a tongue scraper and finish with an oral rinse (I prefer TheraBreath).

BTW, speaking of rinses, my dentist advised against regular usage of hydrogen peroxide. It's OK to use on an as-needed basis, for instance if there's some gum inflammation, or whatever, but he said regular use alters the natural flora of the mouth, which can create more problems than it solves. I didn't think to ask him what happens with people who use Listerine on a regular basis.

[DFrancis]

Floss? You mean that stuff for getting apple skin out of your teeth?

For me it's more of a bacon-removal device.

[HoratioCaine]

For me it's more of a bacon-removal device.

Personally, I prefer to leave the bacon in there. More for later.

[Ender Wiggins]

Personally, I prefer to leave the bacon in there. More for later.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I brush, floss and then rinse with water or swish mouthwash afterward to wash off anything the floss pulled out from between my teeth. :biggrin1:

All three dentists I've ever been too brush and then floss, but it sounds like either way is good.

[Greyfox]

Shouldn't matter I would think as long as you either floss or water pik.

[schwartr]

For me it's more of a bacon-removal device.

I floss with bacon. MMMMMmmm bacon.

[bazwalk]

That's just showing off.

It's my JOB ! :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[dpm802]

As long as we're on the topic of dentists ... here's something that I've wondered about for years:

When they take X-rays of your teeth, they are very careful to place a lead apron over you from the neck down, and the dentist themself steps out of the room or stands behind a protective barrier ... shouldn't you also wear a helmet of some sort to protect your gray matter?

I've asked a few dentists and X-ray techs about this ... none of them had an answer, not even a clue ... and most said they never even though about it before.

[HoratioCaine]

I've asked a few dentists and X-ray techs about this ... none of them had an answer, not even a clue ... and most said they never even though about it before.

I seem to recall an X-ray tech once saying the apron was to protect the family jewels. Apparently that area is more susceptible to radiation than the rest of our bodies. (Women too?) The X-ray techs need the protection because otherwise they'd be exposed to radiation all day long. At least, this is what I think I remember in the mists of my mind. Make of it what you will.

[dpm802]

I seem to recall an X-ray tech once saying the apron was to protect the family jewels. Apparently that area is more susceptible to radiation than the rest of our bodies. (Women too?) The X-ray techs need the protection because otherwise they'd be exposed to radiation all day long. At least, this is what I think I remember in the mists of my mind. Make of it what you will.I know about guarding the family jewels, and that makes sense. But the apron extends over the entire torso, to protect the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and other vital organs.

But what I'm saying, isn't the BRAIN a vital organ also?

One dentist did have a theory that because of the placement of the X-ray emitter, the radiation would just bounce back and forth inside a person's skull if they were wearing a protective helmet, and that would do more harm than just allowing it to pass through one time, in one direction.

[bazwalk]

One dentist did have a theory that because of the placement of the X-ray emitter, the radiation would just bounce back and forth inside a person's skull if they were wearing a protective helmet, and that would do more harm than just allowing it to pass through one time, in one direction.[/QUOTE]

This is exactly correct and also why lead aprons should NOT be used. Any radiation travelling down from the neck just bounces around in the thorax and abdomen inside the apron. Studies have shown that the stomatic radiation dose is significantly greater WITH a lead apron than without. If your dentist still uses one I would have serious doubts about their currency.

The radiation dose from two intraoral films is the same as a short haul airline flight, ie. fine if exposed occasionaly but not a good idea constantly. Thats why your dentist retreats to a safe distance. :spockflam