Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOral Care OrderHow Long and How OftenIngredients
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Oral Care Order
How Long and How Often
Ingredients
Brushing and flossing are the most important measures for supporting oral health, but rinsing with mouthwash as an addition to these oral care practices is a simple way to get more out of your dental hygiene routine.
Mouthwash is most associated withfreshening breath, but its health benefits include helping to prevent or control tooth decay, reducing plaque, and preventing or reducinggingivitis(gum inflammation).Though it isn’t a replacement for brushing and flossing, mouthwash can be a good addition to you oral care routine since it can reach places toothbrushes cannot.
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Brushing and Mouthwash Order
The order of your oral hygiene routine matters. Using mouthwash right after brushing rinses off the toothpaste prematurely, which lessens the positive effects offluoridein the toothpaste. Instead, use mouthwash before brushing, or save it for another time of day, separate from when you brush your teeth.
Certain ingredients in dental care products can also affect the order. For example, some ingredients in toothpaste, such as calcium hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide, can reduce the effectiveness of mouthwash. If these ingredients are in your toothpaste, you may need to wait until after you have brushed your teeth and fully rinsed with water to use the mouthwash.
It’s better to floss before brushing your teeth as it helps to dislodge food particles and remove plaque that forms along the gumline.
A properoral care routinein order may look like the following:
Your dental health professional may suggest a different routine, depending on your needs and the products you are using.
Mouthwash Use Before and After EatingFor maximum benefits, do not eat, drink, or rinse your mouth for at least 30 minutes after using a mouthwash that contains fluoride.
Mouthwash Use Before and After Eating
For maximum benefits, do not eat, drink, or rinse your mouth for at least 30 minutes after using a mouthwash that contains fluoride.
How Long and How Often to Use Mouthwash
Use mouthwash one to two times a day, unless the product or your dental care provider recommends otherwise.
For example,chlorhexidineis used for treating conditions such as gum disease, mouth ulcers, andoral thrush. Each of these requires a different length of treatment. Unlike over-the-counter (OTC), standard mouthwash, chlorhexidine is used only for up to four weeks to avoid staining teeth.
Mouthwashes that contain alcohol can dry and damage sensitive tissues. Look for alcohol-free mouthwashes.Sometimes, mouthwashes containing alcohol are contraindicated (advised against) if you have raw wounds or healing from a dental procedure or appliances.
Mouthwashes that contain fluoride are often a good option.
To use mouthwash:
Flossing
To floss your teeth:
Brushing
Brush twice a day (before bed and at another time of day) using fluoridated toothpaste and a manual or electric soft brush with rounded bristles.
To brush your teeth:
What Can Mouthwash Help Improve?Depending on the formulation, mouthwash can help with:Reducing dental plaqueWhitening teethFreshening breathPreventing or treating gum diseaseStrengthening enamelMouthwash does not replace brushing or flossing.
What Can Mouthwash Help Improve?
Depending on the formulation, mouthwash can help with:Reducing dental plaqueWhitening teethFreshening breathPreventing or treating gum diseaseStrengthening enamelMouthwash does not replace brushing or flossing.
Depending on the formulation, mouthwash can help with:
Mouthwash does not replace brushing or flossing.
Ingredients in Mouthwash and Uses
The twomain types of mouthwashesare:
Check labels for ingredients and purposes of the products. Look for OTC mouthwash products labeled with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, which means they have been tested and are shown to be safe and effective when used properly.
Active and inactive ingredients in mouthwash include:
These ingredients may not be right for everyone, and some can come with side effects. Talk to your dental care provider before adding mouthwash to your oral care routine.
Mouthwash and ChildrenChildren younger than 6 years old should not use mouthwash because they may accidentally swallow large amounts of it. This could cause nausea, vomiting, and, if it contains alcohol, intoxication.Some products, such as certain mouthwashes,throat sprays, lozenges, and dental gels, are only suitable for adults and/or children aged 12 years and older.Check the label carefully for age recommendations and restrictions, and follow all instructions and precautions.
Mouthwash and Children
Children younger than 6 years old should not use mouthwash because they may accidentally swallow large amounts of it. This could cause nausea, vomiting, and, if it contains alcohol, intoxication.Some products, such as certain mouthwashes,throat sprays, lozenges, and dental gels, are only suitable for adults and/or children aged 12 years and older.Check the label carefully for age recommendations and restrictions, and follow all instructions and precautions.
Children younger than 6 years old should not use mouthwash because they may accidentally swallow large amounts of it. This could cause nausea, vomiting, and, if it contains alcohol, intoxication.
Some products, such as certain mouthwashes,throat sprays, lozenges, and dental gels, are only suitable for adults and/or children aged 12 years and older.
Check the label carefully for age recommendations and restrictions, and follow all instructions and precautions.
Summary
In addition to brushing and flossing, mouthwash can help support oral health. Depending on the formulation, mouthwash can help with issues such as bad breath,gingivitis, plaque, and tooth decay.
It is best to use mouthwash before brushing or at another time of day, separate from brushing. Rinsing after brushing, including with mouthwash, can reduce the effectiveness of thefluoridein the toothpaste just used.
Mouthwashes can have different active ingredients, which change their purposes and effects. Read labels and follow directions and precautions.
Is It Better to Brush Your Teeth Before or After Breakfast?
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tartaglia GM, Tadakamadla SK, Connelly ST, Sforza C, Martín C.Adverse events associated with home use of mouthrinses: a systematic review.Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety. 2019;10:204209861985488. doi:10.1177/2042098619854881American Dental Association.Mouthwash.American Dental Association.Mouthrinse (mouthwash).National Health Service.How to keep your teeth clean.Geisinger Health.Is mouthwash bad for you?Oral Health Foundation.The dental professional’s guide to mouthwash use.National Health Service.Chlorhexidine.Canadian Dental Association.Your oral health.Canadian Dental Association.Flossing & brushing.McGrath C, Clarkson J, Glenny AM, Walsh LJ, Hua F.Effectiveness of mouthwashes in managing oral diseases and conditions: do they have a role?International Dental Journal.2023;73:S69-S73. doi:10.1016/j.identj.2023.08.014Ballini A, Cantore S, Signorini L, et al.Efficacy of sea salt-based mouthwash and xylitol in improving oral hygiene among adolescent population: a pilot study.IJERPH. 2020;18(1):44. doi:10.3390/ijerph18010044
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tartaglia GM, Tadakamadla SK, Connelly ST, Sforza C, Martín C.Adverse events associated with home use of mouthrinses: a systematic review.Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety. 2019;10:204209861985488. doi:10.1177/2042098619854881American Dental Association.Mouthwash.American Dental Association.Mouthrinse (mouthwash).National Health Service.How to keep your teeth clean.Geisinger Health.Is mouthwash bad for you?Oral Health Foundation.The dental professional’s guide to mouthwash use.National Health Service.Chlorhexidine.Canadian Dental Association.Your oral health.Canadian Dental Association.Flossing & brushing.McGrath C, Clarkson J, Glenny AM, Walsh LJ, Hua F.Effectiveness of mouthwashes in managing oral diseases and conditions: do they have a role?International Dental Journal.2023;73:S69-S73. doi:10.1016/j.identj.2023.08.014Ballini A, Cantore S, Signorini L, et al.Efficacy of sea salt-based mouthwash and xylitol in improving oral hygiene among adolescent population: a pilot study.IJERPH. 2020;18(1):44. doi:10.3390/ijerph18010044
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Tartaglia GM, Tadakamadla SK, Connelly ST, Sforza C, Martín C.Adverse events associated with home use of mouthrinses: a systematic review.Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety. 2019;10:204209861985488. doi:10.1177/2042098619854881American Dental Association.Mouthwash.American Dental Association.Mouthrinse (mouthwash).National Health Service.How to keep your teeth clean.Geisinger Health.Is mouthwash bad for you?Oral Health Foundation.The dental professional’s guide to mouthwash use.National Health Service.Chlorhexidine.Canadian Dental Association.Your oral health.Canadian Dental Association.Flossing & brushing.McGrath C, Clarkson J, Glenny AM, Walsh LJ, Hua F.Effectiveness of mouthwashes in managing oral diseases and conditions: do they have a role?International Dental Journal.2023;73:S69-S73. doi:10.1016/j.identj.2023.08.014Ballini A, Cantore S, Signorini L, et al.Efficacy of sea salt-based mouthwash and xylitol in improving oral hygiene among adolescent population: a pilot study.IJERPH. 2020;18(1):44. doi:10.3390/ijerph18010044
Tartaglia GM, Tadakamadla SK, Connelly ST, Sforza C, Martín C.Adverse events associated with home use of mouthrinses: a systematic review.Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety. 2019;10:204209861985488. doi:10.1177/2042098619854881
American Dental Association.Mouthwash.
American Dental Association.Mouthrinse (mouthwash).
National Health Service.How to keep your teeth clean.
Geisinger Health.Is mouthwash bad for you?
Oral Health Foundation.The dental professional’s guide to mouthwash use.
National Health Service.Chlorhexidine.
Canadian Dental Association.Your oral health.
Canadian Dental Association.Flossing & brushing.
McGrath C, Clarkson J, Glenny AM, Walsh LJ, Hua F.Effectiveness of mouthwashes in managing oral diseases and conditions: do they have a role?International Dental Journal.2023;73:S69-S73. doi:10.1016/j.identj.2023.08.014
Ballini A, Cantore S, Signorini L, et al.Efficacy of sea salt-based mouthwash and xylitol in improving oral hygiene among adolescent population: a pilot study.IJERPH. 2020;18(1):44. doi:10.3390/ijerph18010044
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