Should You Be Flossing Before Or After Brushing Your Teeth? We Asked An Expert

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If recently your TikTok FYP has turned into a battleground over whether you should floss before or after brushing, you’re not alone. The internet has officially entered its hyper-fixated oral care era, and everyone from micro-influencers to self-proclaimed skincare gurus is dropping five-step oral health routine videos complete with tongue scraping, oil pulling, and triple-rinsing.

Half of TikTok insists on the classic brush, floss, mouthwash routine, while the “glow-up” crowd swears by floss, scrape, brush, mouthwash (and whatever else you fancy). I decided to do a quick office poll, and without calling out half the office by name, there are a lot of people doing it ~wrong~ (and some not at all).

To save you from spiralling into an existential crisis over floss, we reached out to an actual expert, Colgate Oral Health Therapist Amelia Seselja, to give us the definitive, science-backed lineup.

Here’s how to actually structure your routine, according to a pro.

Step 1: Clean between your teeth FIRST

The Internet Debate: Do you floss before or after brushing?

The Expert Verdict: Floss first.

“If you are not cleaning between your teeth, you are not cleaning your whole mouth,” says Amelia. “Doing this first ensures it actually gets done.”

Doing it at night — when a full day’s worth of iced coffee, snacks, and bacteria have set up camp — is ideal. Whether you use string floss, floss picks, interdental brushes, or a high-tech water flosser doesn’t matter as long as you’re doing it.

“The best option is the one you will use consistently,” Amelia explains. “Cleaning between your teeth removes plaque and food debris from areas your toothbrush cannot reach, helping toothpaste ingredients reach those surfaces more effectively when you brush.”

Step 2: Brush for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste

The Expert Verdict: Non-negotiable. Twice a day, two full minutes, soft bristles only.

“Brushing mechanically removes plaque, the sticky bacterial film that constantly forms on your teeth,” says Amelia. “Your toothbrush removes the plaque, while your toothpaste delivers the active ingredients.”

This is where fluoride comes in to strengthen enamel and fight decay. But if you’re looking for extra perks (like whitening or sensitivity relief), consistency is what actually gets you results.

“You see the benefits when you use the right toothpaste consistently as part of your daily routine,” Amelia notes. “For example, with Colgate Optic White Vitamin C, use it morning and night for optimal whitening results. In fact, it can remove 7 years of stains in 7 days.*”

Her final warning for the aggressive brushers out there? “Always opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently. No scrubbing is needed, just be thorough.”

Step 3: Clean your tongue

The Internet Debate: Is tongue scraping actually necessary?

The Expert Verdict: Do it in the morning right after brushing.

TikTok loves a satisfying metal tongue scraper video, and turns out the hype is legitimate. Overnight, bacteria build up on your tongue, which is a prime culprit behind dreaded morning breath.

“Clean your tongue once a day, ideally in the morning straight after brushing while the toothpaste residue is still in your mouth, as this can add extra freshness,” advises Amelia.

“Cleaning it in the morning removes that build-up, reducing odour-causing bacteria and improving overall freshness. You can use either a tongue scraper or your toothbrush.”

Step 4: Rethink when you use mouthwash

The Internet Debate: Swishing mouthwash right after brushing to get that ultimate minty burn.

The Expert Verdict: It depends on the formula, but you might want to wait.

This is where TikTok gets it wrong. Dumping mouthwash in your mouth immediately after brushing can actually wash away the concentrated fluoride your toothpaste just deposited on your teeth.

“Mouthwash supports your routine but does not replace brushing or cleaning between your teeth,” Amelia explains. Timing actually depends on what kind of rinse you’re using:

Fluoridated mouthwash: “Use it at a different time of day than brushing, such as after lunch or in the afternoon, to give your teeth an extra fluoride boost.”

Antibacterial mouthwash: “Use it after brushing to reach areas that brushing, flossing, and tongue cleaning may miss, delivering active ingredients throughout the mouth to support oral health.”

Well, that settles that then. Floss first, folks.

Image: Fabletics Men TikTok / Maddi Daffara / Colgate