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!
