This conversation is sponsored by Crest and Oral-B at Sam’s Club. Opinions are my own.

We all know to brush your teeth daily. However, when it comes to the oral hygiene order of operations, have you ever wondered if you should brush or floss first?

I have often wondered about this and that lead me to realization that there are three types of people in this world– those who floss all day long, those who only floss when they have something annoying in their teeth and those who don’t floss at all.

Which type am I? Well, I’m not a playa, I just floss a lot! LOL. I’m the person that loves to floss so much that I had to start buying it in bulk. That way I have a roll for every purse. Let’s just say that switching purses and leaving the floss in process, is a bigger problem than you would think; especially if your friends don’t floss regularly.

Speaking of buying in bulk, right now you can save $5 when you buy any 2 Crest Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Oral-B Manual Toothbrush or Oral-B Floss products at your local Sams club or Samsclub.com.

However, let’s get back to my original question of whether you should you brush or floss first. Truly there is no perfect science to which should come first. The combination of both, along with rinsing, is always better than  just brushing your teeth alone. It’s a fact – most things in life are just better together. Your oral care routine is no exception!

Instead of worrying about whether you should brush or floss first, here are a few tips to help you get a more thorough clean:

Brush Often

Most people brush daily but they simply don’t brush enough for their teeth to stay clean. Choosing a great toothpaste like Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste can help with this. It fights plaque and gingivitis while strengthening enamel and removing surface stains for a healthier, whiter smile. The ADA recommends brushing for at least two minutes, twice daily. Struggling to gauge two minutes? Try setting a timer on your phone, listening to short song, cue up a YouTube video to make sure that you thoroughly clean your teeth.

If you brush regularly, which I hope we all do, your brush will deteriorate more quickly so try to change your brush with the seasons –or at your semiannual dental visits. Also, remember to rinse your brush after each use and allow it to air dry. You should also avoid sharing brushes with others, even your kids.

Pick a Good Toothbrush

Most adults require a small- or medium-sized toothbrush. The Oral B Criss Cross Toothbrushes get deeper into the teeth and gums to brush away 90% of the hard-to-reach plaque. It is available in both small and medium, and also includes a tongue & cheek cleaner which works to freshen breath during brushing process.

Floss Regularly and Properly

Much like brushing, flossing only helps if it’s done properly. The goal of flossing isn’t to get the annoying piece of food from between the teeth, that’s just a bonus. The point of flossing is to remove plaque from the gum line between your teeth. You should use a piece of floss up to 18 inches in length to keep from reinserting bacteria back into your mouth. You should move the floss in a “c” shape or motion to make it rub against the side of the tooth and remove plaque. Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Comfort Plus Dental Floss slides up to 50% more easily vs regular floss, giving you an extra gentle but powerful clean.

Rinse with a Mouthwash

There are many reasons to use Crest Pro-Health Advantage Mouthwash. The best is that it can get to places where your toothbrush and floss cannot. This helps to rid your mouth of the same debris that irritates the gumline and causes gingivitis. Crest Pro-Health Advantage Mouthwash kills millions of germs for a healthier mouth and freshens breath. Make sure to add  this mouthwash to your oral care routine to get the most thorough clean; it is especially helpful if you’re always on the go.

Doesn’t reading all of this just make you want to pause and go brush your teeth? For the sake of being curious, which is first for you on a regular day brushing, flossing or rinsing? Make sure you visit your local Sams or Samclub.com to stock up your bathrooms and  get these great saving on Crest and Oral-B today!  

**This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.