My Listerine mouthwash bottle directions says that for best results use twice a day after brushing. My toothpaste has 1450ppm fluoride, whereas the mouthwash is only 450ppm. Won’t using the mouthwash afterwards simply wash away the higher, more beneficial levels of toothpaste fluoride and replace it with lower mouthwash levels? What’s the reasoning for this advice?
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You’re supposed to let the toothpaste sit for a bit to allow the fluoride to work, before you rinse.
Using mouthwash before brushing wouldn’t work, because there’s a lot of food particles and bacterial films that prevent the mouthwash from reaching your teeth and doing its job.
I assume because you exposed all the surface area of your teeth and between with floss, that it can get in there better
Because you have the wrong mouthwash. Your mouthwash should have similar fluoride content as your toothpaste. Some mouthwashes are absolute scams, Listerine being one of them.
I’ve started with a brush, floss or interdental, mouthwash and swill, then quick brush again to leave toothpaste in place.
Mouthwash is not aboit fluorine but killing bacteria. It act mostly on surface and not in depth. Before brushing you have a layer of biofilm, bacteria, food and the like. Mouthwash kill the bacteria on the surface of the biofilm, but not in depth. Bacteria grow. Fast. It will come back.
Now, brush and remove that biofilm. Then mouthwash. It can now kill the thin layer left in your mouth as it is not thick anymore.
I brush in the morning. I floss, then use mouthwash, then brush at night before bed.
My dentist says I have better gums than anyone she sees.
Your mileage may vary.
Every time I go to the dentist, they say what I’m doing is wrong. Mouthwash before. Mouthwash after. Interdental brushes before, interdentals after. Brush this way, brush that way. Slaughter a chicken – oh no wait slaughter a goat.
I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s all utter bollocks. I don’t worry about it any more. I do what I think makes most sense, then just nod along with them.
Mouthwash, electric brush, interdentals, don’t rinse. If that’s wrong then it’s wrong.
What I learn from these dental hygiene threads is that brushing your teeth is a good idea, but nobody agrees on anything beyond that. It’s probably good enough that you’re making the effort, even if the specifics are not optimal.
I’m a dental assistant, so feel pretty qualified to answer this after having heard like 20 different dentists over my lifetime explain this daily.
The current recommended advice is floss, then mouthwash (or mouthwash throughout the day if needed), then brush and DON’T RINSE/EAT/DRINK AFTERWARDS.
What we want to happen in this process is to remove anything from between the teeth and slightly under the gums with the floss, rinse it all away with mouthwash, and then brush with fluoridated toothpaste. When you just spit the toothpaste out and don’t rinse, a layer of the toothpaste remains on your teeth overnight/until you eat or drink next. This will help strengthen and remineralise your teeth. Rinsing will wash away most of that toothpaste, even if it is a fluoridated mouthwash because as you say, the ppm is far lower than toothpastes.
I am baffled that the ADA supports Listerine when it’s instructions specify “after brushing”, it just doesn’t sit right with me
Just don’t use fluoride products. They are banned in many countries and cities around the world— for good reason.
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