# Proper  bedtime dental routine?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-bedtime-dental-routine/554853>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 24, 2010, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-bedtime-dental-routine/554853 "2010-09-24T05:42:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![TNWPsycho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@TNWPsycho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TNWPsycho)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-bedtime-dental-routine/554853/1 "2010-09-24T05:42:29Z")

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What is the proper (assuming there is one) bedtime routine.

Heres what i do;

Brush, floss, anti-cavity mouthwash

However i noticed that my anti-cavity wash doesn’t help with gingervitis causing bacteria.

I have Listerine, which does, but Listerine also contains alcohol and acid.

I guess im not really sure exactly how the anti-cavity works, but if i use it after using Listerine, will the acid get locked in close to my tooth causing decay? And if i use Listerine after the anti-cavity, will it just destroy the effects of the anti-cavity?

So what should be my new bedtime dental hygiene routine?

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**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-bedtime-dental-routine/554853/2 "2010-09-24T06:32:27Z")

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A friend of mine who’s a dental assistant told me to floss before brushing, but I don’t recall the reasoning behind it.

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**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2010, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-bedtime-dental-routine/554853/3 "2010-09-24T07:27:42Z")

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> [@Robot\_Arm](#):
>
> A friend of mine who’s a dental assistant told me to floss before brushing, but I don’t recall the reasoning behind it.

Supposedly the brushing clears stuff away the flossing dug out or loosened, I think.