After you brush your teeth, you might feel like you’re on a roll with good oral hygiene and decide to tackle other aspects of your dental health. Not so fast. Dentists caution that there’s one common habit that could actually do more harm than good when you do it right after brushing. Mouthwash should never be used after brushing your teeth or after you eat. That’s because while mouthwash contains a low concentration of fluoride, it rinses out all the high concentration of fluoride that the toothpaste leaves on your teeth. In fact, you shouldn’t rinse at all, not even with water. Experts also warn that you shouldn't brush your teeth for 30 minutes after eating because digestion starts in the mouth and creates an acidic environment, which is not a good condition in which to brush your teeth. Using mouthwash can best be beneficial right after you eat lunch, but don’t eat or drink for 30 minutes after using it.
