How to Use Mouthwash: The Complete Guide
Mouthwash is the most misused product in most people's oral care routine. Used at the wrong time, it can actually reduce the effectiveness of your toothpaste. Used correctly, it's a valuable addition that reaches areas your toothbrush and floss can't.
This guide covers everything: when to use mouthwash, how to use it properly, which type to choose, and why alcohol-free options are gaining popularity.
When to Use Mouthwash
The most important rule: Don't use mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth.
This surprises most people, but here's why: after brushing, your toothpaste leaves a concentrated layer of active ingredients (fluoride or hydroxyapatite) on your teeth. Rinsing with mouthwash washes this away before it has time to work.
The best times to use mouthwash:
- After lunch — when you can't brush, mouthwash freshens breath and helps clean your mouth
- 30+ minutes after brushing — if you want to use it as part of your morning or evening routine
- Before brushing — some dental professionals suggest using mouthwash first, then brushing, so the toothpaste's active ingredients remain on your teeth
How to Use Mouthwash Properly
- Measure the correct amount — most mouthwashes recommend 20ml (about 4 teaspoons). Don't use more than directed.
- Swish for 30-60 seconds — move the liquid around your entire mouth, between teeth, and along the gumline.
- Gargle briefly — tilt your head back and gargle for a few seconds to reach the back of the throat.
- Spit it out — don't swallow mouthwash.
- Don't eat or drink for 30 minutes — allow the active ingredients to work.
Alcohol-Free vs Alcohol-Based Mouthwash
Traditional mouthwashes use ethanol (alcohol) at 20-25% concentration. While effective as a carrier ingredient, alcohol causes side effects that many people want to avoid:
- Burning sensation — the "sting" that many people associate with mouthwash
- Dry mouth — alcohol reduces saliva production, which is counterproductive for oral health (saliva is your mouth's natural defence)
- Irritation — particularly for people with sensitive oral tissue, mouth ulcers, or recent dental work
Alcohol-free mouthwash uses alternative carriers and can be equally effective. The alcohol in mouthwash was never the active ingredient — it's the carrier for other ingredients that do the work. Many dental professionals now recommend alcohol-free formulas.
Browse our mouthwash collection.
Types of Mouthwash
Hydroxyapatite Mouthwash
A newer category that extends the benefits of n-Ha toothpaste into a rinse format. Boka's Restore Mouthwash Tablets contain nano-hydroxyapatite alongside other supporting ingredients.
Mouthwash Tablets
A sustainable, portable alternative to liquid mouthwash. You chew or dissolve a tablet in water, swish, and spit. Benefits include zero plastic waste, easy travel, and precise dosing. Available from Boka in multiple flavours.
Natural Mouthwash
Uses botanical ingredients — essential oils, aloe vera, tea tree oil — instead of synthetic chemicals. Popular with people who also use natural toothpaste. Available from Gem and Keeko.
Premium Mouthwash
Luxury formulas like Selahatin and Aurezzi 24K Gold turn mouthwash into a premium ritual with sophisticated flavour profiles and beautiful packaging.
Do You Actually Need Mouthwash?
Mouthwash is not a replacement for brushing and flossing — it's a supplement. If you can only do two things for your oral health, brushing twice daily and flossing once daily are the priorities.
Mouthwash adds value by:
- Reaching areas between teeth and along the gumline that brushing misses
- Freshening breath when brushing isn't possible (after lunch, while travelling)
- Delivering active ingredients (like n-Ha) in a rinse format
Shop Mouthwash
Browse our full mouthwash collection or shop mouthwash specifically. Complete your routine with toothpaste and dental floss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use mouthwash before or after brushing?
Most dental professionals recommend using mouthwash at a separate time from brushing — such as after lunch. If you prefer to use it during your brushing routine, use it before brushing (not after) so your toothpaste's active ingredients remain on your teeth.
Can mouthwash replace brushing?
No. Mouthwash cannot remove plaque — only the mechanical action of a toothbrush and floss can do that. Mouthwash is a supplement to brushing and flossing, not a replacement.
How often should I use mouthwash?
Once or twice daily is typical. Alcohol-free formulas are generally designed for daily use. Using mouthwash more than twice daily is unnecessary for most people.
Are mouthwash tablets as effective as liquid?
Yes. Mouthwash tablets dissolve in water to create a mouthwash solution with the same active ingredients as liquid versions. The main advantages are zero plastic waste, easy travel, and precise dosing.
