Use mouthwash and floss before cleaning your teeth, says viral TikTok video – and experts agree | London Evening Standard

AND

You have likely been taught that using mouthwash after brushing your teeth is a useful final step in a careful dental hygiene routine. But a TikTok viral video is meant to make you rethink the order of your oral care.

TikTok user @ kassyslays90 posted a video on the social media platform in which she shares the surprising steps in her husband’s dental care, which has now been viewed over three million times.

“My husband kept a secret from me,” she says in the video. “He says the correct way to brush your teeth is to first rinse with an alcohol-based mouthwash, then use dental floss, then brush your teeth, and then use a fluoride rinse.

“He says the last time you do the alcohol mouthwash, brushing your teeth will remove the fluoride you just put on your teeth So you should do it first to kill the germs and then top off with a fluoride lightening rinse, “she continues, before adding,” apparently the last time he went to the dentist Hygienist told him that he really didn’t need cleaning. “

It prompted the dentist Suhail Mohiuddin, also known as Dr. M to post a video to aid in this order of dental hygiene.

“If you have bleeding gums, you’ll want to use an alcohol-based mouthwash before you brush your teeth. If you don’t have bleeding gums, you don’t need to do this step,” he says in the post.

Then Dr. M that teeth should be brushed and flossed for two minutes before rinsing with fluoride mouthwash for 30 seconds. He does not recommend flushing with water for at least five minutes to increase fluoride intake. “Fluoride is very important in reducing the risk of cavities,” he says.

Dr. Safa Al-Naher of Care Dental in Hammersmith says, “It doesn’t matter what order you brush and floss in, as long as you do both. Some people prefer to floss first so they can then brush away all of the plaque and floss away any food debris removed them while flossing.

“Some mouthwashes are good for the gums and target bacteria that cause gum disease. These can be used before brushing but not afterwards. Be careful with mouthwashes that are high in alcohol, however, as this can worsen the dry mouth problem and upset the natural balance of bacteria in the mouth. A good antibacterial homemade alternative is plain salt water. Make this fresh each time by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in half a cup of warm water and soaking or dipping your interdental brushes for added gum benefit. “She suggests.

However, she avoids going against the last step. “You shouldn’t use fluoride mouthwash immediately after brushing, as the current recommendation is to spit out, but not rinse, excess toothpaste to keep the high fluoride residue on your teeth and to prolong the anti-cavity benefits. If If you want or need to use a fluoride mouthwash, I recommend doing it at a different time of the day, such as after meals. “

Dr. Nyree Whitley, Dentist and Clinical Director of Mydentist, shares this advice: “Using mouthwash before flossing and then brushing your teeth is the best way to remove bacteria to keep teeth healthy and prevent problems such as bleeding gums and tooth decay” , she says. It is not necessary to use two separate mouthwashes. “Most UK toothpastes contain fluoride anyway, so you can skip the last step. Just make sure to spit, but not rinse, after brushing your teeth to keep the toothpaste on your teeth longer.”

Continue reading

What to do if you have a dental emergency while on lockdown?

Dr. Reena Wadia, gum specialist and founder of RW Perio, says if you are concerned about possible gum disease, switching to a rechargeable electric toothbrush and carefully observing the angle at which you brush your teeth is more important aim at the gum line.

“These remove plaque far more effectively than a battery-powered or manual toothbrush. You need to place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle where the gums and teeth meet, up for the upper teeth and angled down for the lower ones Teeth, “she explains. “The gumline traps all bacteria. If not removed, it will lead to gum disease. Spend a few seconds per tooth. For patients with established gum disease, it will likely take more than two minutes.”