Do You Use Mouthwash After Brushing Your Teeth? Dental Expert Warns Against It

Also known as oral rinses or mouth rinses, mouthwash has become a very common part of people’s daily routine. Containing antibacterial properties, they help to clean between teeth, giving a fresh feeling and killing bacteria that can lead to tooth decay, gum diseases, or bad breath. People generally rinse their mouths with these fluoride-infused liquids in the morning after brushing their teeth. However, could this actually be bad for our oral health? Know more about it before you swish and spit the next morning.

A dental expert has shared views about such practices, cautioning people about using mouthwash after brushing their teeth. Mentioning that toothpaste already contains fluoride, she explained that rinsing with mouthwash can wash off the layer and cause damage to teeth.

Dr Shaadi Manouchehri, founder of Smart Dental & Aesthetics, shared an Instagram video with tips on dental health. “You shouldn’t use mouthwash after brushing your teeth, even if it has fluoride in it. It’s never going to be as much as the amount of fluoride that’s in toothpaste. You need to use fluoride toothpaste twice a day, spit during rinse, and leave the fluoride on the teeth to protect them and make them stronger. If you use mouthwash, that’s going to remove that protective fluoride layer and make you more prone to get cavities,” she explained.

Apart from these, the dental expert also gave a few more tips, such as avoiding munching on chocolates throughout the day, as it causes more damage than having it in one sitting and coating fluoride toothpaste on the floss before using it. “That’s the part when people don’t clean, and cavities start from there,” she said.

The video left social media users with a lot of questions. Some asked the right way to brush or use mouthwash, while others thanked her for the suggestions. According to the National Health Service, one should not rinse their mouth immediately after brushing, as it can wash away the concentrated fluoride. However, when using mouthwash, it should contain fluoride, which will help prevent tooth decay.

The NHS suggests using mouthwash at a different time, such as after lunch or after several cups of coffee.