A good daily oral care routine is essential to the health of your teeth. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and using mouthwash is a healthy habit for most people. But is mouthwash necessary? The answer is yes and no at the same time. The American Dental Association states, "The use of mouthwash may be a beneficial addition to the daily oral hygiene routine for some people.
Mouthwash uses
Mouthwash makes your mouth clean, fresh and smelling good.
It has amazing health benefits that promote oral and dental health.
Using mouthwash helps reduce bacteria in your mouth, which reduces the amount of plaque that forms.
Regular use of mouthwash helps prevent gum disease.
If the mouthwash contains fluoride, it reduces tooth decay when used correctly.
If you brush your teeth well, twice daily, and floss daily, mouthwash is not completely necessary. However, most dentists highly recommend adding mouthwash to your morning and evening routine. Additionally, people with certain medical conditions such as dry socket, tooth sensitivity, and dry mouth may find mouthwashes absolutely necessary. In fact, general and specialized mouthwashes can become an ongoing part of the treatment routine for these individuals.
?What causes bad breath
Most people turn to mouthwash to combat bad breath, and understanding the causes of bad breath is a good first step toward dealing with it. The food you eat is often the cause of bad breath, either because of the pungent nature of the food itself (such as garlic, curry, blue cheese, and sauerkraut) or because of its poor hygiene. Smoking cigarettes will also make your breath smell bad. Making careful food choices, brushing and flossing well, and using mouthwash can generally resolve the problem.
However, underlying medical problems can also lead to bad breath, and such situations require extra care. Many people complain of chronic dry mouth or similar side effects to this disease as a result of taking certain medications. In these cases, specialized mouthwashes often help. Oral surgery, chronic sinusitis, and acid reflux sometimes lead to bad breath, and in these cases, you should consult your doctor before trying to treat the symptoms on your own.
What Kind of Mouthwash Is Best?
Different types of mouthwash are available. Some are better for people with dry mouth, sensitive teeth, mouth ulcers, or recent dental surgery. For most people, a fluoride mouthwash is best and provides the desired benefits.Which mouthwashes are best for different people? Here is a list of some things you might want to consider:Crest Pro-Health
is a good general mouthwash that is also alcohol-free.PerioBrite Nature
is an all-natural mouthwash that lacks the antibacterial properties of conventional products, but also doesn't contain strong chemicals that some may prefer to avoid.ACT Advanced Care
helps control plaque buildup.
Dry biotin mouthwash
helps treat dry mouth.
Another option for those suffering from dry mouth, Oasis Moisturizing
Mouthwash is an option that contains glycerin.
Chlorhexidine gluconate
mouthwash is only a prescription mouthwash that has been shown to fight gums, but it also has some potential side effects such as staining and ulceration of the teeth.
No matter what type of mouthwash you choose, look for a mouthwash that bears the seal of approval for your state's Department of Health. The seal assures you that you are using a mouthwash that fights cavities and helps prevent gum disease.
?How do you use mouthwash
It is important to note that mouthwash alone is not sufficient. It is best used after brushing and flossing. Use the mouthwash on clean teeth, swish it in the mouth and gargle with it in the back of the throat. Spit out mouthwash. It is best to use the mouthwash at the end of your brushing routine and allow it to remain on the teeth and gums without rinsing. Remember that mouthwash kills bacteria on the surface of the mouth and teeth. It does not treat the underlying causes of bad breath or dental problems. Use it as a final rinse, but don't expect it to treat all dental problems.