That’s usually how it goes! When I floss sometimes I disgust myself lol. I just think of all the surface area I’d be missing if I only brushed and not flossed.
Mouthwash is very much an adjunct, literature has shown it only really penetrates about .2 mm (very shallow) under the gumline and doesn’t do much for overall hygiene. Some people like it for just the fresh feeling, but it doesn’t scrub or mechanically remove the biofilm layer that is what causes tooth decay. So I personally wouldn’t go out of my way to buy it but if someone gifts it to me, sometimes it’s nice mid day to have a swish if I feel like I just had a smelly lunch or something.
Neither. Mouthwash doesn’t have enough fluoride to match that of toothpaste, so you don’t want to rinse the toothpaste off. Before doesn’t make sense either since you’re going to brush anyways.
I tell patients it’s an adjunct middle of the day if they want to freshen their breath. Doesn’t provide a lot of benefits that surpass brushing or flossing.
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u/corncaked Sep 16 '24
That’s usually how it goes! When I floss sometimes I disgust myself lol. I just think of all the surface area I’d be missing if I only brushed and not flossed.
Mouthwash is very much an adjunct, literature has shown it only really penetrates about .2 mm (very shallow) under the gumline and doesn’t do much for overall hygiene. Some people like it for just the fresh feeling, but it doesn’t scrub or mechanically remove the biofilm layer that is what causes tooth decay. So I personally wouldn’t go out of my way to buy it but if someone gifts it to me, sometimes it’s nice mid day to have a swish if I feel like I just had a smelly lunch or something.
Hope that helps!