Using mouthwash is simple, but a few small habits make a real difference, particularly the timing. This guide covers how to use it properly, based on NHS advice, along with the mistakes people most often make.
How to use mouthwash, step by step
- Pick a time away from brushing. The NHS advises not using mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth, because it washes away the fluoride from your toothpaste. After lunch is a good time.
- Measure the amount on the label. Mouthwashes vary, so use the amount the bottle tells you to. Many caps double as a measuring cup.
- Swish it around your mouth. Move it around your teeth and gums for as long as the label says. The time varies between products.
- Spit it out. Never swallow mouthwash. Some, including those made with tea tree oil, are harmful if swallowed.
- Hold off eating and drinking after a fluoride mouthwash. The NHS advises not eating or drinking for 30 minutes after using a fluoride mouthwash, so the fluoride has time to work.
Common mistakes
Using it straight after brushing
This is the most common one. After brushing, the NHS advice is to spit out the excess toothpaste and not rinse, because the fluoride left behind protects your teeth. A mouthwash used straight afterwards rinses it away. Our guide on whether to use mouthwash before or after brushing explains this in more detail.
Using it instead of brushing
Mouthwash does not replace brushing or cleaning between your teeth. The core NHS advice is to brush twice a day, including last thing at night, with fluoride toothpaste, and to clean between your teeth. Mouthwash is an extra on top of that.
Swallowing it
Mouthwash is made to be rinsed and spat out. Tea tree oil, which is used in some mouthwashes including No Fluo, can cause serious symptoms if swallowed, so always spit and keep bottles away from children.
Giving it to young children
Check the label for a minimum age and supervise children, who are more likely to swallow it. In UK guidance for dental teams, daily fluoride mouthrinses are suggested only for children aged 8 and over.
Using a medicated mouthwash every day without advice
Most everyday mouthwashes are made for daily use, but some medicated ones are not. Chlorhexidine mouthwash, for example, can help with mild gum disease in the short term but can stain teeth, and in the UK its licensed use is limited to short courses. Follow the label and ask a pharmacist or dentist if you are not sure.
Which kind of mouthwash do you need?
- Fluoride mouthwash is the kind UK guidance suggests for extra protection against tooth decay.
- Alcohol free mouthwash is what the NHS recommends if you have a dry mouth, and many people find it gentler. See is alcohol free mouthwash better.
- Antibacterial mouthwash is one of the things the NHS suggests trying for bad breath.
- Fluoride free mouthwash is for people who would rather not have fluoride in their mouthwash and want something for a fresh, clean feeling.
No Fluo is a fluoride free and alcohol free mouthwash with peppermint, tea tree, spearmint and lemon oils. It is made for freshening your mouth between brushes, at a different time of day from brushing.
Safety: do not swallow. No Fluo contains tea tree oil, which is harmful if swallowed. Rinse and spit it out, and keep the bottle out of reach of children.
Frequently asked questions
How long should you swish mouthwash for?
Follow the label, because the time varies from one product to another. Move it around your teeth and gums for the full time, then spit it out.
Can you use mouthwash every day?
Most everyday mouthwashes are designed for daily use. Some medicated mouthwashes, such as chlorhexidine, are meant for short courses only, so always check the label.
Does mouthwash replace brushing?
No. The NHS advises brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth. Mouthwash is an optional extra on top of that.
Should you swallow mouthwash?
No. Always spit mouthwash out. Some ingredients, such as tea tree oil, are harmful if swallowed.
Related guides
- Should you use mouthwash before or after brushing?
- Salt water mouthwash
- Alcohol free mouthwash
- All guides