Maintaining a healthy smile goes beyond just brushing your teeth. Flossing and using mouthwash are also major components of a complete oral care routine. But do you ever wonder about the best oral hygiene routine order? 

In honour of World Oral Health Day, it’s time to answer your questions, such as whether it is better to use mouthwash before or after brushing your teeth and whether you should floss before or after brushing your teeth.

The Power of Flossing First

While the order of brushing and flossing might seem trivial, there are benefits to flossing before you brush. Flossing first helps dislodge larger food particles and plaque trapped between your teeth. This allows your toothbrush and toothpaste to reach deeper, ensuring a more thorough cleaning.

Also, sometimes, there's a tendency to rush through flossing or even skip it altogether when done after brushing. But when you floss before brushing, you're more likely to give this important step the time and attention to ensure it gets done properly.

If you're shopping for flosses to add to your oral care, consider an option like the FlossCare Plus PTFE Floss. This features an ultra-wide design that covers more of each tooth and slides easily around tight spaces and sharp edges, providing efficient cleaning.

And if you have braces, bridges, implants, or crowns, FlossCare™ Floss Threaders With Storage Case can be invaluable for navigating those tricky areas. These thin, pliable threaders can help you guide the floss under and around your dental work, ensuring a thorough clean without damaging your appliances. Plus, the convenient storage case makes them easy to take with you on the go.

Brushing for a Brighter Smile

Once you've flossed away those larger particles and loosened plaque, it's time to brush. Brushing after flossing allows your toothbrush and toothpaste to work on a cleaner surface. This means the fluoride and other beneficial ingredients in your toothpaste can better reach your tooth enamel and provide maximum protection against cavities and sensitivity.

Brushing after flossing also offers the opportunity to disinfect your toothbrush before use. While flossing, you can soak your toothbrush in Pearlie White’s antibacterial mouthwashes or use a specialised toothbrush sanitiser to eliminate any bacteria that might have transferred from your mouth to the bristles.

For optimal teeth cleaning, get a toothbrush like the BrushCare Enamel Protect Adult Soft Toothbrush or the Pearlie White Sonic Electric Toothbrush. Featuring a slim handle and compact head, this toothbrush helps you easily reach those hard-to-reach areas at the back of your mouth. It also has densely packed, micro-fine bristles that are soft and gentle on your enamel and gums, providing cleaning without causing irritation.

For those with braces or other orthodontic appliances, an orthodontic toothbrush like the BrushCare Ortho Soft Toothbrush is an ideal option to make cleaning around those tricky areas a breeze. Its V-shaped bristles help clean around brackets and wires, while the soft, slim bristles with polished end-rounded tips gently remove plaque from small spaces and gum pockets.

Mouthwash: The Final Touch

Mouthwash should be the last step in your oral care routine. Here's why:

  • Prolonged Fluoride Contact: Rinsing with mouthwash after brushing allows the fluoride and other beneficial ingredients in your toothpaste to remain on your teeth for a longer period. This enhances their effectiveness in strengthening enamel and protecting against decay.
  • Lasting Freshness: Mouthwash provides a final burst of freshness, helping combat bad breath and leaving your mouth feeling clean and invigorated.
  • Maximise Effectiveness: To allow the active ingredients in your mouthwash to work their magic, it's advisable to first wait at least 30 minutes after rinsing before eating or drinking.

If you plan to buy mouthwash online or at stores, make sure they're packed with powerful ingredients for a healthier mouth and fresher breath. Consider the Fluorinze Anti-bacterial Fluoride Mouth Rinse, which is gentle on teeth and gums and formulated with Tea Tree Oil and Thymol, known for its ability to address tooth decay and prevent bad breath. In addition, it has Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC) and Xylitol to combat bacteria that cause plaque and cavities.

Meanwhile, the Defenze Antiseptic Fluoride Mouth Rinse, which is developed with the National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS), is a unique alcohol-free mouth rinse fortified with CPC, Fluoride, Xylitol, and Zinc to help fight germs that cause bad breath, plaque and cavities. Furthermore, the formulation is enhanced with 10 natural extracts like Cinnamon, Echinacea, English Chamomile, and more to provide antioxidant benefits and wider oral health advantages.

For individuals experiencing tooth sensitivity, consider the Sensirinze™ Fluoride Mouth Rinse for Sensitive Teeth. This mouthwash is formulated with Potassium Nitrate and Potassium Citrate, which are known to relieve and protect against teeth sensitivity, and Fluoride and Xylitol to help address tooth decay and strengthen enamel.

Alternative Approach: Brushing, Then Flossing, Then Mouthwash

While flossing before brushing offers certain advantages, brushing first is a common habit for many. This order can benefit individuals who prefer to clear away loose food particles before flossing, potentially making the flossing process more comfortable. However, it's important to be mindful of the potential drawbacks, such as rushing through flossing or skipping it altogether, as mentioned earlier.

Regardless of whether you brush or floss first, remember that flossing at least once a day is crucial for optimal oral health. And no matter which order you use, mouthwash should always be the final step to enhance its effectiveness.

The Importance of a Consistent Three-Step Routine

Even though the order you choose for brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash might influence the effectiveness to some extent, what is important is to do both diligently and consistently. And incorporating all three steps—flossing, brushing, and using mouthwash—into your daily routine can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath, ensuring a healthy and radiant smile for years.

Choosing Your Ideal Combination

Individual preferences and habits play a role in determining the most comfortable and powerful oral care routine. Experiment with different orders and find what works best for you. The key is to find a sequence that you can stick to consistently. And as explained earlier, regardless of whether you floss first or do it after brushing, always use mouthwash as the final step to maximise its benefits.

Exploring Alternative Tools for Enhanced Oral Care

In addition to traditional floss and toothbrushes, there are alternative tools that can enhance your oral care routine:

  • Interdental Brushes: These small, bristled brushes are designed to clean between your teeth, reaching areas that floss might miss. They are particularly beneficial for individuals with larger interdental spaces or those with orthodontic appliances. Consider the InterSpace Brush since this is made with a slim, tapered design to help you reach tight gaps and spaces to help remove plaque and food particles. It also has a comfortable handle with a thumb rest area for easy movement and precise cleaning.
  • Water Flossers: These devices use pulsating water to clean between teeth and along the gumline. They can be a helpful alternative for individuals with mobility issues or those who find traditional flossing challenging. And an ideal option is the Portable Water Flosser, which has three adjustable pressure settings and various nozzle options to cater to different needs and comfort levels and is perfect for those with braces, permanent retainers, implants, and bridges.

However, remember that these tools can complement your regular brushing and flossing routine but should not replace them entirely.

Pearlie White: Your Partner in Personalised Oral Care

Pearlie White offers a diverse range of teeth and gum care products designed to support a comprehensive and personalised oral hygiene routine. From teeth whitening to bleeding gums, Pearlie White provides gentle solutions to help solve these oral problems.

Explore our collection and buy toothpaste, floss, alcohol-free mouthwash, and more to create your perfect combination of products to achieve a healthy, bright smile.