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

I dunno, flossing first just makes me stress more because I feel like brushing afterward pushes stuff back into those tight spots around the brackets. Doesn't mouthwash first sorta loosen things up better...? Or is that just me being paranoid again?

I get where you're coming from, but honestly, flossing first has always worked better for me. When I had braces, I used to think mouthwash would loosen things up too...but it mostly just made my mouth feel minty without actually helping much with stuck food. Flossing first seemed to clear out the tight spots around the brackets better, and then brushing afterward felt like a final sweep-up. But hey, everyone's different - whatever keeps you from stressing is probably the best routine for you.

"whatever keeps you from stressing is probably the best routine for you."

Couldn't agree more with this. My daughter struggled a lot with braces at first, and we tried every possible combo. Eventually, flossing first was our winner too - but honestly, comfort and consistency matter most in the long run.

"comfort and consistency matter most in the long run."

True, comfort is key...but I'd argue flossing after brushing worked better for me personally. Felt like brushing first loosened things up, making flossing easier - especially around tricky brackets. Guess everyone's mileage varies a bit.

Interesting, I've always flossed first myself - felt like it cleared the way for brushing to really do its thing. But now you've got me curious about switching it up. Did you notice any difference in gum sensitivity or bleeding when you changed your routine? Might give brushing-first a shot and see how it goes...

I've actually tried both ways over the years, and honestly, I didn't notice a huge difference in gum sensitivity or bleeding - at least not enough to say one method's clearly better. But brushing first does seem to loosen things up nicely, making flossing feel quicker and smoother. Plus, there's something satisfying about finishing with mouthwash...like putting the cherry on top, you know? Might be worth experimenting a bit and seeing what feels best for you.

"But brushing first does seem to loosen things up nicely, making flossing feel quicker and smoother."

Interesting observation, but from my experience, flossing before brushing actually feels more effective. When I floss first, it seems to clear out those tricky spots between teeth, allowing the toothpaste to reach deeper and clean better. Mouthwash afterward still gives that fresh finish you're talking about, though. Might just be personal preference...but it's worth considering the floss-first approach if you haven't given it a proper go yet.

I've tried both ways, and honestly flossing after brushing just feels cleaner to me. Maybe it's psychological, but brushing first seems to loosen stuff up, making flossing easier. When I floss first, I always worry I'm just pushing debris around...but who knows? Dentists seem divided on this too, so maybe there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

I've wondered about this myself quite a bit. Honestly, your reasoning makes sense to me - brushing first probably does loosen things up, making flossing afterward feel more effective. I've tried both ways too, and I get what you mean about worrying you're just pushing stuff around if you floss first.

A dentist once explained to me that flossing first helps remove debris between teeth, allowing fluoride from toothpaste to reach those tight spaces better. But then again, another dentist said exactly the opposite - that brushing first loosens plaque, making flossing afterward more efficient. So yeah, even the professionals can't seem to agree on this one.

I think it might come down to personal preference and what feels best for your mouth. Dental hygiene is as much about consistency and comfort as it is about technique. If flossing after brushing feels cleaner and encourages you to stick with the routine, that's probably the best choice for you. After all, the most important thing is that you're actually flossing regularly, right?

For what it's worth, I've settled into a similar routine as yours - brushing first, then flossing - and my dentist hasn't complained yet. Maybe we're onto something here...or maybe it's just psychological reassurance. Either way, if it works, it works.

I've been thinking about this too, but here's another thing - where does mouthwash fit into your routine? I've tried rinsing after flossing, but sometimes I wonder if I'm washing away the fluoride from the toothpaste. Do you guys think mouthwash is better before brushing, after flossing, or maybe at a totally different time of day...? Curious how others handle this one.

I've wondered about this myself, and honestly, mouthwash after brushing never felt quite right to me either. From what I've read (and what my ortho recommended), rinsing immediately after brushing can indeed wash away the fluoride that's meant to protect your teeth. Personally, I've found that using mouthwash at a completely separate time - like after lunch or mid-afternoon - is way more effective. It freshens things up without messing with the fluoride benefits from toothpaste. Might be worth giving it a shot...

Same here, I've always felt weird about rinsing right after brushing. I shifted my mouthwash to mid-morning coffee break instead, and honestly it feels way fresher. Plus, my dentist seemed pretty happy with the change, so must be doing something right...

Haha, mid-morning mouthwash break...I like your style. I've been tempted to try something similar, but I'm paranoid about coffee breath mixing with minty freshness - sounds risky. But hey, if your dentist approves, you're probably onto something. Maybe I'll give it a shot and see if mine notices the difference next check-up. Keep rockin' that unconventional dental routine!

Haha, coffee breath and minty freshness is a gamble for sure...I once tried brushing right after my morning espresso, thinking I'd outsmart the system. Big mistake - felt like I was chewing on mint-flavored charcoal. Now I just wait it out a bit before brushing. Curious though, anyone ever tried those cinnamon mouthwashes? Seems like cinnamon might play nicer with coffee than mint does, but I'm too cheap to risk buying a whole bottle just to find out.

I've actually tried the cinnamon mouthwash you're talking about, and honestly, it's not bad at all. Definitely less of a clash with coffee compared to mint. Mint and coffee is just asking for trouble - like orange juice and toothpaste levels of regret. Cinnamon has a warmer, spicier vibe that seems to blend better with coffee's bitterness. But fair warning, it's still pretty strong stuff, so if you're sensitive to spicy cinnamon gum or candies, you might wanna skip it.

Have you considered trying a smaller travel-sized bottle first? I grabbed one from the travel section at the drugstore before committing to the full-size bottle. Saved me from buyer's remorse. Also, random thought - have you tried mouthwash flavors like citrus or herbal? I've seen some around but haven't been brave enough yet...

Haha, mint and coffee really is a disaster combo...been there, regretted that. Cinnamon sounds interesting though - might give it a shot. Good call on the travel-sized bottle tip, saved me from a few questionable purchases too. Citrus mouthwash sounds kinda weird to me, but hey, if you ever try it, report back. You've got more courage than I do...

Citrus mouthwash isn't actually as weird as it sounds...have you ever tried toothpaste with orange or lemon flavor? It's surprisingly refreshing, especially if you're tired of mint overload. Cinnamon is a solid choice too, but heads up - it can be pretty intense if you're sensitive. Have you experimented with alcohol-free mouthwashes yet? They're gentler on your gums and don't give you that burning sensation. Might be worth checking out if regular ones feel harsh to you.

Totally agree about citrus mouthwash being underrated. Have you tried the grapefruit one yet? My kid absolutely hated mint toothpaste (said it was "spicy," haha), but grapefruit flavor was a total game-changer for us. Cinnamon was a no-go though - way too strong for her sensitive gums, even the alcohol-free versions felt intense.

Speaking of alcohol-free mouthwashes, we've switched completely over to them now. Regular ones always left my mouth feeling dry afterward, and my dentist mentioned they're actually better for your oral microbiome. Have you noticed any difference in how your mouth feels after switching? I've found it's way more comfortable, especially first thing in the morning when everything seems extra sensitive.

Totally with you on the alcohol-free mouthwash thing. Regular ones always made my mouth feel weirdly tight and dry afterward, especially since I got braces - everything seems extra sensitive now. My orthodontist actually recommended switching to alcohol-free because apparently it helps prevent irritation around brackets and wires. Honestly, I was skeptical at first (I tend to worry about changing routines), but it's made a noticeable difference. Mornings are way less uncomfortable now, and I don't get that burning sensation anymore.

Haven't tried grapefruit yet, but citrus flavors in general have been surprisingly gentle for me too. Mint always felt harsh, and cinnamon...yeah, no thanks. Tried it once and regretted it immediately - felt like my gums were on fire for hours afterward. Glad I'm not the only one who found cinnamon intense! Might give grapefruit a shot next time I'm shopping though...sounds promising.

Does grapefruit flavor actually taste like real grapefruit, or is it more artificial? I'm curious because some citrus mouthwashes I've tried had a weird candy-like aftertaste...not exactly refreshing. Also, does alcohol-free mouthwash help noticeably with sensitivity around braces? Considering switching myself.