Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day are the cornerstones of good oral hygiene. But what about mouthwash \u2014 should you use it before or after brushing?<\/p>\n
Pros:<\/strong> May loosen plaque and reduce overall bacteria in your mouth before brushing. Cons:<\/strong> Can wash away beneficial fluoride from toothpaste, which strengthens teeth and prevents cavities.<\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> Preserves fluoride from toothpaste; reaches areas your toothbrush may have missed. Cons:<\/strong> May be slightly less effective at loosening plaque since you’ve already brushed.<\/p>\n Most dentists recommend using mouthwash after brushing. Recommended routine: brush for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste \u2192 floss \u2192 rinse with mouthwash (after brushing). Choose a mouthwash that contains fluoride and is alcohol-free, as alcohol can dry out your mouth and contribute to bad breath.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day are the cornerstones of good oral hygiene. But what about mouthwash \u2014 should you use it before or after brushing? Mouthwash Before Brushing: Pros and Cons Pros: May loosen plaque and reduce overall bacteria in your mouth before brushing. Cons: Can wash away beneficial […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nMouthwash After Brushing: Pros and Cons<\/h2>\n
The Verdict: Brushing First Is Generally Preferred<\/h2>\n