[Closed] finally figured out the best floss-mouthwash routine

Interesting, but honestly, I've tried flossing both before and after brushing, and I can't really tell a difference. Maybe it's just me, but mouthwash always seems to overpower everything anyway, so the order feels kinda irrelevant. Could be psychological, like you said... or maybe my taste buds are just lazy, lol. Either way, as long as we're flossing regularly, that's probably what matters most.

You're right, flossing regularly is definitely the main thing. But have you tried waiting a bit after mouthwash to see if your taste buds reset? I used to think mouthwash overpowered everything too, until my dentist suggested giving it about 30 minutes before eating or drinking. Apparently, it allows the fluoride to work better and your taste buds to bounce back. Might be worth a shot if you're curious.

Also, you're probably onto something with the psychological aspect. I remember reading somewhere that routines can feel more effective simply because we're convinced they're working. Like, if you believe flossing first is better, your brain might trick you into noticing differences that aren't really there. Weird, huh?

Either way, you're already ahead of the game just by flossing regularly. Plenty of people skip it altogether (unfortunately), so props for keeping it up.

"Apparently, it allows the fluoride to work better and your taste buds to bounce back."

Interesting, never thought about waiting after mouthwash. My kid always complains breakfast tastes weird right after brushing... maybe that's why? I'll try giving it some time tomorrow and see if it helps. Thanks for the tip!

Interesting points here. I switched to flossing first a few months ago, mainly because it seemed logical to clear out debris before brushing and rinsing. Honestly, the biggest difference I've noticed is that my mouthwash lasts longer now - probably because I'm not using extra trying to compensate for leftover food particles. Plus, mouthwash isn't exactly cheap these days, so that's a win for my wallet too. Haven't paid much attention to taste though...might give that waiting thing a try tomorrow morning and see if breakfast improves.

I've been flossing first for years now, and honestly, I never even thought about the mouthwash savings angle - good catch there. Have you noticed any difference in how clean your teeth feel throughout the day? For me, flossing first seems to make brushing more effective somehow...like my teeth stay smoother longer.

Also curious if anyone else finds mouthwash taste overpowering right after brushing? I usually wait a bit before rinsing because otherwise it feels like mint overload. And yeah, mouthwash prices are getting ridiculous lately. I've started buying in bulk whenever there's a sale - my bathroom cabinet looks like I'm prepping for some kind of dental apocalypse, lol.

I've actually tried both ways - flossing before and after brushing - and flossing first definitely feels better to me too. It seems like brushing afterward clears away anything loosened up by flossing, leaving my teeth smoother for longer. About the mouthwash thing, I totally get you...the mint overload can be intense right after toothpaste. Have you tried a milder mouthwash flavor? I switched to an alcohol-free one recently, and it's way less harsh. Curious if anyone else has noticed a difference switching to alcohol-free mouthwash...

I've also noticed a big difference since switching to alcohol-free mouthwash. Honestly, the burning sensation from regular mouthwash always felt unnecessarily harsh to me, especially right after brushing. I switched mostly because my dentist mentioned alcohol-free ones are gentler on gums and don't dry out your mouth as much, which made sense when I thought about it. At first, it felt like something was missing without that intense 'burn,' but now I actually prefer the milder feeling. My mouth doesn't feel as dry afterward, and I've definitely had fewer issues with sensitivity since the switch.

Also agree about flossing first - seems logical to clear out debris before brushing rather than after. It feels like brushing last just seals the deal better somehow. Glad I'm not the only one who overthinks these little dental routines...

Totally get what you're saying about the alcohol-free mouthwash. I switched a while back too, mostly because that burning sensation always made me feel like my mouth was on fire - like, am I freshening my breath or punishing myself for eating garlic bread? 😂 But honestly, flossing first never clicked with me. I always brush first, then floss, then mouthwash... feels like flossing afterward catches whatever brushing missed. Maybe I'm just stubbornly stuck in my ways though... wouldn't be the first time!

"I always brush first, then floss, then mouthwash... feels like flossing afterward catches whatever brushing missed."

I see where you're coming from on this, and honestly, you're not alone. I used to feel exactly the same way - thought flossing after brushing was the logical move because it cleared out anything the toothbrush might've missed. But after chatting with my dentist and doing some digging around online, turns out flossing before brushing actually helps loosen up debris and plaque stuck between teeth, making brushing afterward more effective. Took me a while to adjust too (old habits die hard), but now I genuinely notice my teeth feel cleaner throughout the day.

Still, everyone's mouth is different, and what matters most is consistency. If your routine keeps your gums healthy and your dentist happy, you're probably doing just fine. And honestly, ditching that alcohol-based mouthwash was already a big win - no point enduring unnecessary discomfort just for fresh breath!

I used to brush first too, but honestly switching to flossing beforehand made a noticeable difference for me. Still, like you said:

"everyone's mouth is different, and what matters most is consistency."

If your dentist isn't complaining, you're probably good...right?

I've been wondering about this too, actually. For years, I brushed first and flossed after just because that's what I was taught growing up. But recently, after my hygienist gently hinted (okay, maybe not so gently...) that flossing first gets rid of the gunk between teeth and lets the toothpaste actually reach those spots, I switched it up. Honestly, I can't tell if it's made a huge difference yet, but it does feel cleaner somehow.

Still, like you said:

"everyone's mouth is different, and what matters most is consistency."

That's probably the key right there. My dentist hasn't complained either way, but then again, he mostly just nods and says "keep it up," so who knows? Maybe he's just happy I'm flossing at all. 😂

Anyway, I'll stick with flossing first for now, but I'm curious - does mouthwash timing matter much? I've heard conflicting things about rinsing right after brushing...

I've heard mixed things about mouthwash timing too - my hygienist mentioned waiting a bit after brushing to let the fluoride sit longer. Honestly, I usually forget and rinse right away anyway...does anyone actually wait those extra minutes?

I get the logic behind waiting, but honestly, with two kids running around, I'm lucky if I even remember mouthwash half the time. My dentist said consistency matters more than timing anyway...so maybe we're overthinking it a bit?

My dentist said something similar - consistency beats perfection every time. Honestly, with kids, you're already winning if you floss regularly. Curious though, does anyone notice an actual difference when they wait between flossing and mouthwash?

I've tried waiting between flossing and mouthwash, but honestly, I can't tell if it's doing anything special. My dentist once said something about giving the fluoride time to work, but by the time I'm done wrestling my kids into bed, I'm lucky if I even remember mouthwash exists. 😂 Curious though - does anyone else feel like mouthwash is mostly just minty water, or am I missing something important here?

Honestly, I used to think mouthwash was just minty water too, until my kid's dentist explained how it helps reduce cavities. Maybe it's subtle...but have you tried switching brands or using one with fluoride specifically? Could make a difference you actually notice.

"Honestly, I used to think mouthwash was just minty water too..."

Haha, same here - I thought it was just fancy breath freshener until my dentist gave me the fluoride talk. Switched to a fluoride mouthwash and honestly, my teeth feel smoother somehow? Could be placebo, but hey, I'll take it.

Speaking of routines though, anyone else floss BEFORE brushing instead of after? My hygienist swears by it, says it helps toothpaste reach between teeth better. I've been trying it for a couple weeks now...jury's still out. Curious if anyone else noticed a difference or if it's just another dental myth floating around.

"Speaking of routines though, anyone else floss BEFORE brushing instead of after?"

I've actually been flossing before brushing for years now, and I swear by it. My dentist explained that flossing first removes plaque and food particles, allowing the fluoride from toothpaste to penetrate better between teeth. Honestly, it makes sense when you think about it - why brush first if you're just gonna floss out all the gunk afterward?

As for mouthwash, I used to think it was just a breath freshener too, until I learned about antibacterial and fluoride rinses. Now I alternate between a fluoride rinse at night and an antibacterial one in the morning. Teeth definitely feel cleaner throughout the day, but maybe that's just me being overly optimistic...

Has anyone experimented with alcohol-free mouthwash versus the regular stuff? I've heard mixed opinions on whether alcohol-free is gentler or less effective. Curious what others have experienced.

I've actually been using alcohol-free mouthwash for a while now because the regular stuff felt like it was burning holes in my cheeks (okay, slight exaggeration, but still...). My dentist said alcohol-free is gentler on gums, especially if you're prone to sensitivity or irritation. Honestly, I haven't noticed any difference in effectiveness - my mouth feels just as fresh and clean without the sting.

About flossing before brushing...I only started doing that recently after reading something similar online. At first, it felt weirdly wrong - like putting socks on before pants - but now it's second nature. Can't say I've noticed a huge difference yet, but logically it does make sense to clear out food particles first.

Now if only I could stop stressing about my next dentist visit...no matter how good my routine is, I always feel like I'm about to get graded on a test I didn't study enough for. Anyone else get dental anxiety even when they're doing everything "right"?