Mouthwash – why you've been using it wrong

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In the latest dental video to go viral, a dental therapist reveals why many people have been using mouthwash incorrectly their entire lives.

Anna Peterson (@annapetersondental) recently took to TikTok to explain why you should avoid using mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth. 

She points out that toothpaste contains around 1450pp fluoride – but mouthwash only contains 220pp. The latter, she says, is not strong enough to protect teeth from the sugars in food and drink.

Washes away fluoride

As a result, rinsing with mouthwash straight after brushing can wash away the high concentration fluoride in toothpaste.

She said she is definitely not against using mouthwash but does not advise her patients to use as part of their post-brushing routine. 

In a later video, she calls it a 'fantastic product to use' but says it needs to be used at the right time. 

For example after eating or before brushing teeth. 

Beware

This advice is also recommended by the NHS.

Under the question 'should I use mouthwash?', the NHS website recommends: 

'Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can help prevent tooth decay, but don't use mouthwash (even a fluoride one) straight after brushing your teeth or it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth.'

It also suggests choosing a different time to use it, such as after eating lunch. 

Additionally, it recommends avoiding food and drink for 30 minutes after using mouthwash. 

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