One important thing to note is that if you're using fluoride toothpaste, don't use mouthwash for at least 30 minutes after brushing! Why? Because the wash will rinse the fluoride out of your mouth.
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.
Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can help prevent tooth decay, but don't use mouthwash (even a fluoride one) straight after brushing your teeth or it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth. Choose a different time to use mouthwash, such as after lunch.
The ADA states that you may choose to use mouthwash before or after brushing based on personal preference. That said, mouthwash manufacturers may recommend an order based on their product's ingredients, so check the label on your product to ensure that you maximize its effects.
Short answer: It doesn't matter. However, if you are using a fluoride toothpaste, wait at least 30 minutes before you rinse (yes, even a fluoride one) as it'll wash away the fluoride from the toothpaste before it can do its job. If you do use a fluoride mouthwash, wait 30 minutes before you eat or drink.
Swish for a full 30 seconds (try counting to 30 in your head or using a stopwatch). Don't worry if you can't get to 30 seconds the first time – it gets easier each time you try.
Use a mouth rinse before bed
For an added boost to oral health, consider using a mouthwash or rinse before bed. A rinse will help to remove bacteria from your mouth and can effectively help prevent cavities.
When it comes to general dentistry, it is recommended that you use mouthwash as part of your daily oral hygiene regimen because it kills the germs left in your mouth after brushing. Most adults use a mouthwash that contains alcohol because they believe it kills germs more effectively than alcohol-free mouthwash.
In addition to brushing and flossing daily, using mouthwash everyday needs to become part of the routine to ensure optimal oral health. Mouthwash will further supplement the daily dental routine to prevent and/or reduce harmful oral bacteria while maintaining a fresh feel and smell to the mouth.
In general, people should use mouthwash two times per day: once in the morning and once in the evening after cleaning the teeth. However, if someone does not carry a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss around to clean teeth after each meal, rinsing with mouthwash is certainly better than doing nothing.
Leaving the toothpaste on your teeth overnight will allow the enamel to be fed fluoride from the paste. This fluoride will prevent the breakdown of enamel and allow the rebuilding of demineralized enamel.
Unfortunately, when you rinse immediately after brushing, you're washing away a lot of the fluoride in toothpaste before it can strengthen your tooth enamel. To maximize the beneficial cavity-fighting effect of fluoride, spit out excess toothpaste but do not rinse your mouth.
Most people brush, floss and then use mouthwash. And some just brush, skipping the other two steps. As it turns out, it's actually more effective to floss, use mouthwash, then brush, according to dentists — and they don't recommend skipping any steps.
Rinsing your mouth can prematurely wash out the fluoride that is working on your teeth. By spitting out toothpaste then not rinsing it out with water, the fluoride in the toothpaste will remain in the mouth and continue to be effective.
Mouthwashes that kill 99.9% of the bacteria in your mouth are also killing off good bacteria. This can damage the mouth's microbiome and its ability to fight cavities, gingivitis and bad breath.
It may cause dry mouth. Regular or excessive use of alcohol-based mouthwashes can dry out your mouth, which can lead to tooth sensitivity, bad breath, and even cavities.
Once plaque gets onto your teeth, you have a limited amount of time to remove it before it hardens. Most plaque hardens within 48 hours of formation, and within several days it will become so hard that it is almost impossible to remove.
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.
The best time to floss is when you have time to floss properly. For many people, this means flossing at night before bed. This may also prevent food particles from remaining in your teeth overnight, which will reduce possible damage from bacteria. Flossing regularly is vital to maintain proper oral health.
It is not recommended to rinse your mouth with water after you have just used mouthwash. This is because many mouthwashes contain ingredients such as fluoride that need time to start working. If you rinse your mouth out straight after, the fluoride will also be washed away during the rinsing.
Can You Overuse Mouthwash? One of the main ingredients in mouthwash is alcohol. Alcohol destroys bacteria, but it can also cause harm to your gums, inner cheeks and tongue if over used. The alcohol itself has a drying property that will absorb the moisture from your mouth and cause the affected areas to dry out.
Rinse, gargle, spit out the mouthwash and that should be enough. But don't use water. Wait at least half an hour after brushing your teeth to drink water or consume beverages.
Drinking-Water First Thing In The Morning
The germs and bacteria inside your mouth multiply during the night. When you drink water in the morning before brushing, it will clean out your mouth and make tooth-brushing more effective.