We all want to keep our smiles bright and our mouths healthy, and the best way to go about that is by sticking to a strict oral hygiene routine. This means regular visits to the dentist, brushing your teeth twice and day and flossing to remove the buildup of plaque- but what about mouthwash? Is it important in terms of tooth and mouth care, or is it simply a way to freshen breath? Holly House Dental Practice explain more
Reduces the risk of avoidable problems
Prevention is always better than cure, and with mouthwash you can avoid many dental issues that lead to gum disease, tooth decay and even tooth loss. The benefit to you is less pain, a better smile, reduced cost and time spent in the dentist chair each time you visit for a check-up. Hopefully you can avoid the need for emergency appointments too
The benefits of using a mouthwash
Fresher breath – This is one of the most widely cited reasons for a daily swish around with mouthwash, fresh breath can improve your confidence and make you feel good about yourself.
Plaque prevention – Many readily available mouthwash products assist regular teeth cleaning to prevent plaque build-up on gums.
Minimising cavities - Perhaps the most significant benefit to be had by using mouthwash regularly is reducing cavities. Using a fluoride based mouthwash increases protection of and strengthens tooth enamel. Use your mouthwash before brushing, then follow brushing with flossing to ensure that any problem areas missed by brushing are also reached. It's important not to use any mouthwash straight after brushing, even a fluoride-based one. You need to leave time for the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth to do its job.
How to choose the most appropriate mouthwash?
A general mouthwash - if you want to reduce bacteria and fight plaque, look for a mouthwash with added fluoride. Fluoride will help strengthen and repair tooth enamel and is mostly safe for all users. However, you should check the ingredients and sample carefully when trying your chosen mouthwash for the first time.
Gum disease and gingivitis - look for a mouthwash that contains essential oils known to soothe gums and kill bacteria known to infect them.
Alcohol vs alcohol free - Alcohol-based mouthwashes will help kill the bacteria responsible for bad breath. However these won't be suitable for everyone, for children and those with certain health conditions you'll want to find an alternative. There are alcohol-free alternatives that use salt insteaad so look carefully and discuss with your dentist the most appropriate one or combination of mouthwashes for your circumstances.
Other tips
If you're suffering with chronic bad breath and use mouthwash regularly to freshen it, you may only be masking the cause. So regular dental check-ups and an effective daily oral hygiene programme are essential.The most effective time to use your chosen mouthwash is after flossing. Give your teeth time to benefit from the fluoride within your toothpaste, it isn't generally recommended to use mouthwash immediately after brushing to see the best results. Mouthwash will never replace the need for dentists, brushing or flossing, but it can indeed help improve the outcome for your teeth and gums.
Incorporating the use of mouthwash into your daily brushing and flossing will give you the best chance of avoiding the dreaded tooth loss, extractions or fillings. Receding gums and poor teeth cleaning are the biggest causes of tooth loss, so using a mouthwash will help you protect your teeth and gums, reduce the time and cost involved in your dental care, and help you retain your smile for as long as possible.
