We’ve learned a lot of things on TikTok. We’ve also seen a lot of TikTok videos that share bad advice. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to believe.

One dentist took to TikTok to share a revelation about mouthwash. Basically, we’ve all been using mouthwash wrong, and if you haven’t been using mouthwash, it may not even be a bad thing, at least according to this dentist.

If you brush your teeth and then use mouthwash, according to dentist Anna Peterson, you’re doing it wrong and you’re actually causing damage to your teeth. You can watch her viral TikTok below.

@annapetersondentalToo many people are still doing it 🦷##GetGrafting ##dentistry ##fyp ##lgbtq ##lifestylechangestartsnow♬ Inspiration – WavebeatsMusic

 

Nobody uses mouthwash to try to cause tooth decay. So, should we stop using mouthwash? Peterson’s TikTok was very vague, basically just telling us what we’re doing wrong instead of telling us the correct way to use mouthwash. Multiple viewers pointed this fact out in the comments. One person wrote, “This video would be more useful if you tell us when to use it.”

Another viewer commented that you should “wait 20-30 minutes after brushing to use mouthwash.” Peterson responded to the comment writing, “This is correct.”

In a followup video, Peterson went into detail about why using mouthwash after brushing your teeth can cause tooth decay. Basically it has a lot less fluoride than toothpaste, and when you use mouthwash after brushing your teeth, you’re rinsing off the fluoride in your toothpaste.

@annapetersondentalThe explanation you all asked for 🦷##GetGrafting ##dentistry ##lgbtq ##lifestylechangestartsnow ##fyp♬ Inspiration – WavebeatsMusic

In a second followup video, Peterson explained when mouthwash can actually be helpful. Basically, brush your teeth before you eat breakfast, and use mouthwash after you eat breakfast. Watch the video below to find out why.

@annapetersondentalReply to @mayakarampalasi ##fyp ##dentistry ##lgbtq ##GetGrafting ##lifestylechangestartsnow♬ Inspiration – WavebeatsMusic

Do you use mouthwash? Have you been using mouthwash wrong? Are you going to change the way you use mouthwash after watching Peterson’s videos?