In addition to brushing, flossing and regular dental cleanings, the use of mouthwash can have a host of benefits – from fresher breath and whiter teeth to reducing plaque and killing harmful mouth bacteria.  

But is there a “right” way to use mouthwash? To find the answer, we need to spend some time exploring exactly how it helps your oral health.  

To start, you should know that different types of mouthwash have different purposes and different active ingredients. Some are designed to whiten teeth, while others were made to soothe dry mouth or to kill bacteria. Many mouthwashes also contain fluoride, an essential mineral when it comes to protecting against tooth decay and cavities.  

By swishing mouthwash, you’re essentially rinsing your mouth with these active ingredients, with the added benefit of dislodging stubborn food particles and reducing harmful bacteria.

When it comes to using mouthwash correctly, the directions are actually very simple:

1. Empty 3–4 teaspoons of mouthwash into your mouth – you want enough to effectively swish but not so much that it’s hard to move it around your mouth

2. Swish the mouthwash around in your mouth vigorously for 30–60 full seconds – any less than 30 seconds is unlikely to be effective

3. Spit the mouthwash out into the sink – remember not to swallow mouthwash as it can be irritating to your stomach in small amounts and extremely harmful in larger quantities

Another consideration is when to use mouthwash. While it’s easy to find varying opinions on the exact right time to incorporate mouthwash into your oral health care routine, our rule of thumb is to avoid using it immediately after brushing. This is because, similar to why we don’t recommend rinsing with water after brushing, using mouthwash after brushing your teeth washes away the protective fluoride left behind by your toothpaste.  

Some options for when to use mouthwash include after flossing but before brushing, in between brushes or 30 minutes after brushing, to allow for the fluoride to work its magic. Any of these options should work fine, as long as you’re remembering to use mouthwash as a supplement to regular twice-a-day brushing and flossing (and regular six-month check-ups and cleanings), not as a replacement.  

If you have any other questions about how best to keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright, we’d love to answer them. To schedule an appointment, use the orange Book Online button – it’s as easy as that!