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"?
