If you had to choose, Flossing or brushing?

[newtoinvisalign123]

If you were pressed on time and had to, what is the better option: brushing or flossing? I've heard it's better to floss than brush if you must. I ask because I would like to start eating 4-5 times a day (working out more). I don't think it's good for my enamel and gum if I brush and floss 5 times a day lol!

[Sunny]

With invisalign it would have to be brushing.

With brackets or no braces, it would depend on what you'd been eating and if any food was lodged anywhere.

New you don't need to floss every time you've eaten. Eat, rinse well with water, toothpick, rinse well with water, gently brush, rinse ... back in goes the invisalign. Most important with invisalign is making sure the enemal of your teeth and the aligners are clean when being pressed together.

Good luck!

[rocadental]

Flossing is better, here is why;

1. flossing prevents gum/bone loss
2. brushing prevents tooth decay (primarily)

If there is no bone, due to lack of flossing(gum disease) the teeth will fall out.


What would you rather have;

1 healthy gums with several cavities
2 cavity free teeth on the floor because the bone has receded and the teeth have fallen out.

Dr Roca and staff.
If I can be of further assistance please visit my website to view the articles or send me an email. Roca Family dentist - Your premier Dentist in Arlington, Burke, Falls Church Virginia VA dentist, Washington D.C.

[Sunny]

Interesting reasoning ... coz what would be the point of flossing, if the teeth are rotting due to cavities.

Obviously both are necessary ... but if you have to do one ... I think as people who work in the industry we know which is the preferred.

Also I've just checked with the ortho's I work with ... and all agree that cavities form more frequently and for more people, than gum disease. Only a few people get gum disease ... but they also agree that it's not worth taking the risk ... to find out if you're going to be the one or not.

There advice ... do both! With invisalign brushing is going to be the one that affects your teeth the most, as you don't want food trapped against your teeth by the aligners.

I guess it's almost a case of what came first ... the chicken or the egg!

[TONTAGE]

thats right....do both if at all possible.figure it should only take 5 minutes after a meal to brush,floss and insert trays