Floss, brush and mouthwash: is this the right order?

To keep your mouth clean and your breath fresh, it is essential to use a toothbrush, dental floss and mouthwash. But do you know if you are using them correctly and in the correct order?

“The important thing is to ensure that plaque is removed. We usually recommend using floss first to remove plaque from between the teeth and then brushing afterwards to avoid the bad odor that removing plaque can cause, leaving you with a pleasant breath that the toothpaste provides at the end,” says William Frossard, professor and coordinator of the specialization course in Dental Prosthetics at UERJ (State University of Rio de Janeiro).

Mouthwash can be used last, as most people do, to make your breath more pleasant. “However, it is important to note that using mouthwash alone is not enough. It helps with cleaning, adding fluoride and freshening breath, but it does not have the power to remove plaque, which can only be removed mechanically by flossing and brushing,” says William.

Bacteria developer

There is a very interesting and easy way to know if your oral hygiene is effective. There are some toothpastes or tablets on the market that highlight plaque. “When used once a week, the plaque that was not removed becomes reddish, making it easy to identify and alert the patient to improve hygiene in that area,” says William.