Mouthwash Before or After Brushing
The order in which you brush, floss, and rinse is entirely up to you. If you’re rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash designed to help wash away more plaque, remove leftover food particles, or keep gums in good condition, then it may be more beneficial to swish after brushing and flossing. However, rinsing right after you brush may wash some of the fluoride from your toothpaste away. Instead, you can rinse at a different time of the day. If you’re unsure of the order that is best for you, check the label of your mouthwash. In certain instances, the order of when to use mouthwash is dependent on the active ingredients found in your rinse. You can always speak to your dental professional for clarification.
Anti-bacterial rinses tend to work better when applied to freshly cleaned teeth and gums. However, you can always rinse with mouthwash any time you may need a fresh breath fix. Be sure to swish for about 30 to 60 seconds each time to get the most out of your preferred mouthwash.
There’s no need to rinse with water after using mouthwash. The active ingredients may get washed away, making it less effective.
How Often to Rinse with Mouthwash
Always follow the manufacturer’s or your dental professionals’ guidelines for how often you need to rinse. In most cases, it is recommended that you use mouthwash twice a day, after brushing and flossing your teeth.
Find the Right Mouthwash for You
Since every mouth is different, mouthwash options can be quite abundant. You can narrow down your search for the right mouthwash by identifying which attribute or benefit is most relevant to you. These include whitening, gum care, enamel strengthening, and breath freshening.
Oral-B offers a variety of oral care rinses that you can add to your oral hygiene routine:
For a brighter smile, try rinsing with Oral-B 3D White Luxe Perfection Mouthwash. The alcohol-free formula provides whiter teeth in 7 days when paired with brushing by removing surface stains.
If you’re looking to add gum care and enamel strengthening your routine, then Oral-B Gum & Enamel Care Mouthwash may be right for you. The fresh mint formula can help support the condition of teeth and gums.
For long-lasting freshness, swish with Oral-B Pro-Expert Professional Protection Mouthwash. When used twice a day after brushing, the alcohol-free formula can help wash away plaque and freshen up breath.
If you’re still unsure about which mouthwash is best for you, speak to your dental professional for a tailored recommendation.
Round Out Your Oral Care Routine
Mouthwash is not a substitute or a replacement for brushing and flossing but it can add to your overall oral care routine. To help keep your teeth and gums in good condition be sure to:
Brush teeth at least twice a day with the Oral-B iO Series 9 Rechargeable Toothbrush. Its dentist-inspired round brush head expertly cleans with micro-vibrations to remove more plaque than a manual brush.
Floss at least once a day to remove more plaque and debris from tight spaces. Oral-B Pro-Expert Premium Floss slides easily between your teeth to remove trapped food particles and plaque. To further invigorate your gum care, supplement your regular flossing routine with the Oral-B Aquacare Pro-Expert Irrigator, its unique Oxyjet Technology mixes air and water to form clean-boosting microbubbles.
Rinse at least twice a day with the mouthwash that’s right for you to further remove any plaque that brushing alone can leave behind.
Visit your dental professional every 6 months for checkups and professional cleanings.
From Oral-B, the #1 dentist-recommended toothbrush brand World Wide *
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-use-mouthwash
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/m/mouthwash
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-to-keep-your-teeth-clean/
https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/ld/how-to-select-the-right-mouthwash
