Should you floss before or after brushing

 Makes toothpaste more effective

Most brands of toothpaste contain fluoride, a chemical that can help make your tooth enamel stronger. It does this by combining with the calcium in your teeth to form fluorapatite, a substance even stronger than calcium that can prevent tooth decay. This is called remineralization.But the fluoride in your toothpaste can only strengthen areas of your teeth that it can directly touch - areas with plaque buildup may be blocked from fluoride's helpful effects, says Mark Burhenne, DDS, a dentist in private practice.