Mouthwash Question

[sally1112]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 7:48pm

I had a heated debate with a friend this weekend. She says one should use mouthwash, then brush teeth, I say, that is craziness, it makes more sense to to brush teeth and then gargle the mouthwash.
Who is right?

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 8:13pm

This is from the Oral Health Network...

"The Correct Order of Brushing, Flossing, and Using Mouthwash:

1. Floss or Use a Waterpik to completely clean between teeth. This allows your toothpaste to have complete access to all the nooks and crannies between your teeth. If you use a special tongue cleaner I would do it at this step.

2. Brush your teeth with a low-abrasive, fluoride toothpaste. After you are done spit out the toothpaste and do not rinse out your mouth with any water. This will leave a thin coating of toothpaste on the surfaces of your teeth that will help fluoridate your enamel.

3. Rinse for 30 seconds to 1 minute with a fluoride containing mouthwash. This last step will help drive the reaction of fluoridating your enamel and will dramatically extend the contact time of fluoride with your teeth. This is especially important at night when your teeth are repairing themselves from any harsh sugars and acids they encountered during the day."


So, there is an expert's opinion that agrees with you. I believe most people would agree with you too. That being said, it can vary based on the toothpaste you're using. I know many dentists who strongly recommend mouthwash first and toothpaste second if it's prescription strength for special anti-cavity use.

[sally1112]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 8:18pm

YAY! I love being right.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 9:04pm

I floss, rinse, and then brush. I don't like that lingering mouthwash "taste" in my mouth so I choose to brush last.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 9:10pm

~ i use mouthwash *and* an anti-bacterial oral rinse.

[nygrl232]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 10:19pm

I rinse with hydrogen peroxide. Not every day, but at least once a week.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 10:34pm

If you don't clean in between and the surface of your teeth using floss and toothpaste, the mouthwash couldn't clean the actual teeth. You'd just be cleaning over the plaque.

My dentist compares the incorrect way to like washing your hands with gloves on.

Updated On: 9/3/13 at 10:34 PM

[dented146]

Posted: 9/2/13 at 10:59pm

Here is an added tip. Today many young people routinely consume energy drinks. All of them are very acidic. Do not brush immediately following one of those drinks because the mouth is too acidic and brushing will increase the amount of erosion at the gum line. Rinse your mouth out a couple of times with water and then wait about an hour before you brush.

[Jane2]

Posted: 9/3/13 at 10:46am

when I go for a cleaning, my dentist always comments that I'm already taking excellent care of my own teeth. this is what I do:

Use the water pic, and I mix the water with Listerine.

Then I brush with an electric toothbrush and rinse.

that's it.