You should floss, but it's less effective if you use it now.

To maintain good dental health, you need to floss as well as brush. Flossing is known to be 40% more effective at preventing cavities than not flossing at all. Is flossing better before or after brushing?

Flossing before brushing is more effective in removing tartar. This is the result of a study conducted by Professor Fatemeh Mazhari and her team at the Department of Dentistry, Dental Materials Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran, on 25 participants. The research team had the participants floss after brushing for two weeks and before brushing for another two weeks. The participants were measured for plaque and fluoride levels before and after flossing and brushing. They were also asked not to brush their teeth for 48 hours before brushing and flossing.

The results of the experiment showed that when people flossed before brushing, the amount of dental plaque in the mouth was reduced more and the concentration of fluoride was higher. Professor Mazharri said, “Through this study, we confirmed that flossing before brushing is advantageous for removing dental plaque,” ​​and “If dental floss removes bacteria and dental plaque between teeth, brushing and rinsing the mouth with water afterwards will definitely remove the debris in the mouth.”

Proper flossing can maximize cavity prevention. First, cut the floss into a length of about 40-50cm. Wrap it around the tips of your middle fingers on both hands a few times to secure it in place. Then, use your thumbs or index fingers to shorten the floss to about 2-3cm.

If your teeth are spaced apart, use thick, wax-coated floss. If your teeth are close together, use thinner floss. Insert the floss between your teeth and move it back and forth, like a saw. To ensure the floss is properly attached to the tooth surface, it must adhere tightly to the floss.

It's best to floss after every three meals and before brushing your teeth. If that's not realistic, flossing at least once before bed is recommended. Those with uneven teeth, gum disease, or gaps between teeth that easily cause food to get stuck should definitely develop the habit of flossing.

Meanwhile, regular flossing doesn't cause gaps between teeth. The enamel that covers the outermost layer of teeth is extremely hard and doesn't wear away with flossing. If you notice gaps between teeth after flossing, it's likely due to gum swelling that's draining, exposing previously gapped teeth. Poor oral hygiene can cause gum swelling due to inflammation. Flossing reduces the inflammation, revealing the gaps between teeth that were previously hidden by swelling.

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I think I had this misunderstanding too.

Will regular flossing cause gaps between teeth?

But nothing happens at all