If you use mouthwash do you need to floss or if you use floss do you need mouthwash?

Answer 1

Recent advertising claims that using some mouthwashes is as good as flossing for your teeth. Here's what the ADA says:

While some study results indicate the use of a mouth rinse can be as effective as flossing for reducing plaque between the teeth, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day and cleaning between the teeth with floss or interdental cleaners once each day to remove plaque from all tooth surfaces. Plaque is responsible for both tooth decay and gum disease.

Regarding the studies, the authors concluded that in patients with mild to moderate gingivitis (early gum disease), rinsing twice a day with the antiseptic mouth rinse was as effective as flossing for reducing plaque and gingivitis between the teeth. The studies did not examine whether the mouth rinse had the same effect as floss on reducing tooth decay or periodontitis (advanced gum disease).

If you don't floss, you should use mouthwash since it has some of the same benefits.

If you do floss, the added benefits (for your teeth) are probably negligible.