A debate about whether you should use mouthwash before or after brushing your teeth has been answered by dental experts, and there’s an optimal timing for the product
We all know that to keep our oral hygiene in check, we need to brush twice a day, floss, use mouthwash, and regularly visit the dentist. However, a bloke sparked a row on Reddit when he revealed that he and his girlfriend were at odds over whether to use mouthwash before or after brushing.
He posted: “Me and my partner have a long standing debate about mouthwash. I’m of the belief that mouthwash comes before brushing of teeth and you don’t rinse your mouth with water after brushing. She believes it’s brushing first, rinse with water then mouthwash. Am I odd for doing the mouthwash first?”
And it seems that perhaps he isn’t ‘odd’, but according to two dentists, his girlfriend is actually right.
Antonio Gagliardi Lugo, Oral Surgeon at Wellsoon Private Healthcare from Practice Plus Group stated: “Brushing your teeth before using mouthwash is the most effective routine.
“Brushing removes plaque, food debris, and bacteria, giving the fluoride in toothpaste a clean surface to bond to and strengthen. Mouthwash alone cannot replace this essential mechanical cleaning.
“If you use a high-fluoride or prescription-strength toothpaste, rinsing straight after brushing – whether with water or mouthwash – can wash away the concentrated fluoride before it has time to work.
“That’s why dentists now recommend avoiding any rinsing immediately after brushing, so the fluoride stays on the teeth longer.
“Mouthwash still has a useful role, helping keep the mouth fresh, reducing bad breath, and lowering bacteria levels during the day.
“Using mouthwash after lunch, or during a busy work or university day, is a good way to maintain freshness. But once you’re home, proper toothbrushing is still essential.”
Dr Sandra GarcÃa Martin concurred, explaining: “The short answer is: it is better to use mouthwash after brushing, but not immediately afterwards. Ideally, mouthwash should be used at a different time of day to avoid washing away the beneficial ingredients in toothpaste.
“Mouthwash plays a supportive role in oral hygiene. Its purpose is to reach areas that toothbrushes and floss may not access easily, delivering ingredients that reduce bacteria, freshen breath, soothe gums, or strengthen enamel, depending on the formulation. However, it should never replace brushing or interdental cleaning; it is an adjunct, not a substitute.
“The principle behind the recommended sequence is simple: toothpaste contains active agents that protect and remineralise enamel. These ingredients need time to adhere to the tooth surface to be effective.
“When mouthwash is used immediately after brushing, it dilutes and rinses away much of that protective layer. As a result, you lose many of the long-term benefits of brushing.”
“This is why dental professionals advise brushing first, spitting out the excess toothpaste, and avoiding rinsing with water or mouthwash for 20–30 minutes. Mouthwash can then be used later in the day or, if preferred, just before bed, ideally one that contains fluoride to boost enamel protection.
“In short, mouthwash is useful, but timing is crucial. To get the full benefit from both products, let the toothpaste work first and treat mouthwash as a complementary step, not an immediate follow-up.”
