Do You Use Mouthwash Before or After Brushing?
An oral hygiene routine may involve brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash.1 But what’s the correct order for these things? Read on to learn when you should floss and if you should use mouthwash before or after brushing.
Key Takeaways
- Use mouthwash as directed on the product label, after brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste.
- Mouthwash complements brushing and flossing, not replaces them.
What Does Mouthwash Do?
Mouthwashes can help control bad breath or may have active ingredients that are intended to help manage conditions like plaque buildup, gingivitis and tooth decay.1 If a product’s label doesn’t make any claims about having health benefits, it’s considered to be cosmetic.
What Makes Mouthwash Effective?
The difference between cosmetic and therapeutic mouthwashes is the inclusion of active ingredients that support oral health. Some of these ingredients include:1
- Fluoride – Helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening enamel via remineralization
- Peroxide – Often acts as a whitening agent in some mouthwashes
- Chlorhexidine – An antimicrobial that helps to control plaque and gingivitis
- Cetylpyridinium chloride – This antimicrobial ingredient helps to control bad breath and helps reduce plaque and gingivitis
In some instances, a therapeutic mouthwash may only be available by prescription, like those containing chlorhexidine.1
When Should You Use Mouthwash?
If you’ve decided to start using a mouth rinse as part of an oral hygiene routine, you may be wondering if you should use mouthwash before or after brushing your teeth. According to the NHS, you should use a mouthwash after brushing your teeth, but not immediately after.3
Why Should You Wait After Brushing to Use Mouthwash?
Following brushing your teeth, you should spit out any toothpaste remaining in your mouth but avoid immediately rinsing your mouth with water, as this can rinse fluoride away.
According to the ADA, the fluoride from toothpaste should be left on teeth for at least 15 minutes after brushing to help make your teeth’s enamel more resistant to acid attacks.2 If you brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes, you should not be concerned about rinsing with water after brushing. However, if you are someone who is prone to cavities, you may want to consider waiting to rinse after brushing to allow fluoride to remain on your teeth.
If using a fluoride mouthwash after brushing with a fluoride toothpaste this can be done immediately and may actually enhance fluoride retention compared to water rinsing. Studies show that using a fluoride mouthwash after brushing maintains or increases salivary fluoride levels compared to brushing alone. Non-fluoride mouthwashes should be avoided immediately after brushing as they may reduce the salivary fluoride retention.
Make sure to read the label on the mouthwash you’re using, as manufacturers may recommend a specific order for its use to maximize the benefit of certain active ingredients.1
Wait to Rinse or Drink
Not only should you consider waiting until after brushing to use mouthwash, but you should also avoid:2,3
- Rinsing with water
- Eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes after rinsing
These actions may wash away or minimize the amount of fluoride on your teeth!
How to Use Mouthwash Correctly
Make sure you read the label on the mouthwash you’ve chosen and follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. In the case of Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair Extra Fresh Mouthwash, always follow the label directions.
Mouthwash as Part of Oral Health
Like brushing and flossing, mouthwash may be a helpful addition to a daily oral hygiene routine.1 A fluoride mouthwash like Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair gets in hard-to-reach areas, like between the teeth and around the gumline, actively repairing acid-weakened enamel beyond brushing alone.
It’s important to remember that mouthwash is not to be considered a replacement for regular brushing and interdental cleaning – it’s intended to be a complement to these actions.1
Here’s why:
- Regular flossing or interdental cleaning can dislodge food particles wedged between teeth and remove plaque buildup along the gum line, helping to reduce gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath.3
- Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time with a fluoride toothpaste, like Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair Extra Fresh, brushes away plaque buildup and helps fluoride bind onto your teeth’s enamel, helping to strengthen them.3
- Rinsing with an anticavity fluoride mouthwash not only refreshes the whole mouth, but it also delivers enhanced enamel repair, when uses as directed with a fluoride toothpaste. The mouthwash reaches between the teeth and along the gum line, where toothpaste may be unable to reach.
These three elements, paired with regular checkups and cleanings from a dental professional, may help keep your teeth and mouth healthy.
Just remember to allow time after using products that contain fluoride, like toothpaste and mouthwash, to allow the fluoride to be as effective as possible!2
Source Citations:
1. Mouthrinse (Mouthwash). ADA. https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/mouthrinse-mouthwash. Accessed 8/20/25.
2. Rinsing immediately after brushing: effects and recommendations. ADA News. https://adanews.ada.org/huddles/rinsing-immediately-after-brushing-effects-and-recommendations/. Accessed 8/20/25.
3. How to keep your teeth clean. NHS UK. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/how-to-keep-your-teeth-clean/. Accessed 8/20/25.
