An effective dental hygiene routine includes flossing, rinsing and brushing. Each of these steps is important, as they clean areas of the mouth the others can miss. For the most effective cleaning, complete them in this order.

1. Floss first. Flossing works best to remove food particles and plaque between teeth. Clearing these areas first allows the next steps to work better.
2. Rinse next. Rinsing with water or mouthwash washes away the debris removed in step one to prepare for more effective brushing. It also helps clean smaller areas of the mouth that are difficult to reach in the other two steps. 
3. Brush last. Brushing after flossing and rinsing allows the fluoride and minerals in toothpaste to spread more thoroughly throughout the mouth, protecting teeth for hours afterward. Using mouthwash after brushing can actually remove these beneficial ingredients from teeth. 

By flossing first, rinsing next and brushing last, you can get the most out of your dental care routine.