Should you use mouthwash before brushing teeth?

Is it worth adding mouthwash to your routine?

Mouthwash can be a helpful method of keeping your mouth extra clean and adding it to your daily oral hygiene routine can only help. Mouthwash is a liquid that is gargled in the mouth to clean bacteria and teeth and is especially helpful if you have any bad breath. However, to get the best results out of mouthwash you will want to follow a few key steps.

Primarily, mouthwash works best in a clean mouth and as a result, you should only take it after you have brushed your teeth. Mouthwash does not battle gum disease or help the enamelHard calcified tissue covering dentin of the crown of tooth. of your teeth and therefore you should focus on brushing and cleaning between your teeth as a priority. However, once this has been completed, use the mouthwash to wash out any remaining bacteria. It is worth noting that if you use fluoride toothpaste, then you will need to wait a few minutes before using the mouthwash as you do not want to wash out any fluoride that can help the enamel.

For the mouthwash to be most effective, gargle it for 30 seconds before spitting out. Do not wash your mouth out with water as this will defeat the purpose of using the mouthwash initially.
Rember Mouthwash is not a substitute for cleaning between your teeth(with floss/tape/brushes) or for tooth brushing.

For any further questions about oral hygiene routines or techniques, feel free to contact your dentist or hygienist. They will also be able to recommend the best brands. You can book an appointment or raise these questions at your regular check-up.

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