Honestly, I've tried mouthwash at pretty much every stage—before flossing, after flossing, after brushing—and it feels exactly the same to me. Maybe I'm mouthwash-blind or something, but I swear it's just minty water doing its thing...
Have you tried different types of mouthwash, though? Some have fluoride or antibacterial ingredients, others are just fresheners. Maybe switching brands or checking ingredients could make a noticeable difference...
"Maybe switching brands or checking ingredients could make a noticeable difference..."
That's a good point. I've tried quite a few mouthwashes over the years, and honestly, the antibacterial ones with chlorhexidine worked wonders for me when I had gum issues. But they're pretty strong and can stain teeth if used too long. Now I stick mostly to fluoride-based rinses—they're gentler and still effective. It's definitely worth experimenting a bit to find what suits your mouth best... everyone's different, after all.
Totally get you on the chlorhexidine staining thing—I learned that the hard way after my dentist recommended it post-wisdom tooth removal. Looked like I'd been sipping coffee non-stop for weeks... fluoride rinses are def gentler. Lesson learned, haha.
Same experience here—my son used chlorhexidine after getting braces, and yep, the staining was pretty noticeable. Fluoride rinses have been way easier on his teeth (and our sanity). Also, quick tip: we've found floss picks make life easier for younger kids struggling with regular floss. Less frustration all around...
