Your dentist would possibly remind you to sweep, floss and mouthwash – however what’s the “proper” order to do it?
Whilst all steps of oral hygiene can receive advantages dental health, Dr. Mike Wei, DDS, of New York Town, shared with Fox Information Virtual that he’d counsel the beneath order.
1. Floss
2. Brush
3. Mouthwash
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Beginning with floss is helping to take away meals particles and plaque between the tooth and alongside the gumline, which a toothbrush “would possibly not achieve successfully,” in line with Wei.

Dr. Ellie Phillips (now not pictured) recommends the usage of xylitol gum and mints to advertise wholesome salivary drift. (iStock)
“Through flossing first, you’ll be able to dislodge debris and micro organism from those tight areas, making it more straightforward for the toothbrush and mouthwash to scrub the remainder surfaces of your tooth,” he mentioned.
Subsequent, brushing with a fluoride toothpaste can lend a hand take away plaque, bacteria and meals debris from the outside of the tooth, the dentist urged.
“Through brushing after flossing, you’ll be able to take away any debris that have been loosened right through flossing and make sure that all visual surfaces of your tooth are totally wiped clean,” Wei mentioned.
Following up with an antimicrobial mouthwash can lend a hand additional kill micro organism and cut back plaque buildup.

A dentist advisable the usage of toothpaste with silica for right kind exfoliation of the tooth. (iStock)
Mouthwashing on the finish too can lend a hand freshen the breath and achieve spaces that brushing or flossing could have overlooked, Wei famous.
“Total, following this order of flossing, brushing and the usage of mouthwash can lend a hand to make sure a comprehensive cleaning of your tooth and gums, main to higher oral hygiene and a discounted chance of dental problems, corresponding to cavities and gum illness,” he mentioned.
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This advisable series is not unusual follow amongst dental execs to succeed in optimum oral well being, together with decreased chance of cavities and gum illness, Wei added.
Dr. Ellie Phillips, DDS, an oral well being educator based totally in Austin, Texas, took it a step additional, noting {that a} mouth rinse can act as a “cleanser” for the tooth ahead of brushing.

Over the top use of mouthwash containing alcohol would possibly result in dry mouth and inflammation, in line with one knowledgeable. (iStock)
Rinsing with salt water or selection mouthwashes like chlorine dioxide is helping to take away any acidity from food and drink debris and save you them from being brushed into the tooth, she informed Fox Information Virtual.
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After brushing with toothpaste and “massaging” the gums with a toothbrush to stimulate circulate, then it’s time to floss, Phillips mentioned.
Flossing after brushing “gets toothpaste between your tooth,” she cautioned.
However the knowledgeable additionally warned that “numerous floss accommodates PFAS chemical substances,” which individuals must keep away from pushing into their gums.
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After flossing, Phillips recommends rinsing with a conventional mouthwash, which research have proven may also be “5 instances more practical than flossing” simply by swishing it during the tooth for a couple of seconds.

“Numerous floss accommodates PFAS chemical,” which individuals must keep away from “pushing into their gums,” one dentist urged. (iStock)
Rinsing with water, particularly with herbal fluoride, on the finish of an oral care regimen can lend a hand soak up minerals into the tooth, in line with Phillips, writer of the impending 2d version of her e-book “Kiss Your Dentist Good-bye.”
Whilst there are “minimum dangers” to fundamental oral care, Wei warned that over the top use of mouthwash containing alcohol may result in dry mouth and inflammation.
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“It is vital to make a choice merchandise advisable by way of dental execs and practice directions for right kind use,” he mentioned.
“Have in mind to discuss with your dentist for personalised suggestions in line with your oral health wishes.”