Should you mouthwash before brushing?

Asked by: Kyler Marks  |  Last update: September 11, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (37 votes)

According to the American Dental Association, it doesn't matter whether you use mouthwash before or after brushing. Both are equally effective. The sequence in which you brush, floss and rinse makes no difference as long as you do a thorough job and use quality products.

Should you use mouthwash before or after brushing?

The Mayo Clinic recommends using mouthwash after brushing and flossing your teeth. However, the National Health Service (NHS) recommends avoiding mouthwash right after brushing, since this may wash away the fluoride from your toothpaste. Instead, the NHS recommends using mouthwash at a different time of day.

How long should I wait to use mouthwash before brushing?

Use your mouthwash prior to brushing to remove any food debris and plaque build up in your mouth, this will set you up for a good clean and also won't rinse out any of the fluoride after brushing. If you want to rinse out after brushing wait at least 30 minutes and you ready to go ahead with the mouthwash.

What does mouthwash before brushing do?

It's most common to rinse with mouthwash after you brush and floss your teeth. But using mouthwash before brushing can actually help loosen food particles and plaque. This allows your toothbrush to access hard-to-reach areas between teeth a little better.

How often should I use mouthwash?

Generally, it is recommended that you use mouthwash once or twice a day after brushing and flossing. This will help ensure that any lingering bacteria or food particles are removed from your teeth and mouth. However, it is not necessary to use mouthwash at all.

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25 related questions found

Should I floss or brush first?

While it may be surprising, a study has found that flossing first followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is more effective in removing interdental plaque than brushing first, flossing second. In addition, flossing before brushing results in greater fluoride retention between teeth.

Can I use mouthwash 30 minutes after brushing?

You can use mouthwash prior to brushing to remove any food debris and plaque build-up in your mouth to set yourself up for a good cleaning. One important thing to note is that if you're using fluoride toothpaste, don't use mouthwash for at least 30 minutes after brushing!

Is it OK to use mouthwash instead of brushing at night?

While using mouthwash instead of brushing your teeth is not recommended, you can still incorporate it into your daily routine, albeit carefully. There is no hard rule on when to use mouthwash, but you can always follow a few dos and don'ts of rinsing for best results. Different mouthwashes come with different benefits.

Can I use mouthwash instead of brushing for one day?

Answer — No, mouthwash cannot replace brushing one's teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Mouthwash should be used to help get rid of bad bacteria in the mouth and not for providing the teeth with the care they need for one's good oral health.

Is mouthwash better than brushing in the morning?

Mouthwash Is a Short-Term Fix

But brush as soon after as you can. And if breath isn't fresh after a good brushing, it typically means it's packed full of bacteria. Mouthwash doesn't remove the sticky plaque and bacteria that only a good brushing and flossing can.

Should you brush with mouthwash?

There is some benefit to brushing with mouthwash due to the antibacterial effect, but it is minimal and is mostly just flavour. Rinsing with mouthwash after brushing has a benefit in reducing gingivitis, or gum disease.

What is the correct way to brush your teeth?

Proper Brushing Technique

Sweep the brush gently back and forth over teeth and gums in soft strokes — or, if you prefer, use an elliptical (circular) motion to clean the teeth. Be sure to clean the spaces between teeth: You can use a sweeping motion to brush food particles away from the gums.

Why do some dentists not recommend mouthwash?

Since alcoholic mouthwash is so strong, it can often end up wearing down the protective shield that protect your teeth and gums. Mouthwash cleans away saliva and mucous, leaving your teeth exposed to staining from coffee, tea and wine, among other things.

Why not to use mouthwash?

The Dangers in Over the Counter Commercial Mouthwashes

The acid will actually eat away at your tooth enamel, weakening your teeth and making them more susceptible to decay.. Then there are the artificial food dyes that are used in almost all over the counter mouthwashes.

Is it OK to use mouthwash first thing in the morning?

You only need to use mouthwash once a day, so you can choose the time you prefer, whether first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Either way is good!

What is the best time to use mouthwash?

Although you can use mouthwash whenever you need to freshen your breath, the best time to use mouthwash is right after you eat. The sugars in the food and drinks you consume make your mouth more acidic. If you brush your teeth immediately after eating, you brush acid into your teeth, causing tooth erosion.

Can I use mouthwash right after waking up?

10-15 mins post breakfast is the ideal time to use a mouthwash if you are using it in the morning. Mouthwash is a temporary way to kill your bad breath. Using a mouthwash helps getting rid of any remnant bacteria left behind even after brushing and flossing your teeth.

What is the white stringy stuff in my mouth after I brush my teeth?

Some ingredients in toothpastes are too harsh for many mouths, and can actually burn the outer tissue of the oral cavity. This burned, dead tissue then forms into the globs and film of white discharge you find in your mouth anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour after brushing.

Do dentists recommend mouthwash?

However, most dentists highly recommend adding mouthwash to your morning and evening routine. Additionally, people with certain medical conditions such as dry socket, tooth sensitivity, and xerostomia (aka dry mouth) may very well find mouthwash essential.

Do dentists recommend rinsing after brushing?

Don't rinse with water straight after toothbrushing

After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste. Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste. Rinsing dilutes it and reduces its preventative effects.

Is it ever too late to floss?

Even if you've gone your whole life without flossing, it's never too late to start and give your teeth the thorough clean they deserve. Many people don't begin flossing until their dentist recommends it to help manage an oral health problem. Once they're used to it, it can become part of their normal routine.

Should you brush your tongue?

If you do not brush your tongue, you are skipping a large area where many bacteria gather in colonies, and eventually cause trouble in your mouth. In addition to causing oral health problems, if you do not brush your tongue, you may start suffering from halitosis (bad breath).

Is it bad to use mouthwash every day?

While it can depend on the specific mouthwash you use and the advice of your dentist, most mouthwashes should be used no more than twice a day. Make sure to read the label and follow the instructions.