AN OVERVIEW OF MOUTHWASH USE FOR ORAL HYGIENE AND HEALTH

Many people do not understand the place of mouthwash in regular dental care. Other people have unrealistic expectations from mouthwash. Below is an accurate overview of mouthwash and its use.

Benefits of Mouthwash

Mouthwash is not necessary for everyone — you can maintain good oral hygiene and health without mouthwash. However, some people can benefit from mouthwash. Below are some benefits of those benefits.

Preventing Dental Conditions

Some mouthwashes have active ingredients that help prevent dental problems. For example, some mouthwashes contain:

• Antimicrobial ingredients that reduce dental plaque and gingivitis, which damage the teeth
• Fluoride minerals that remineralize and strengthen the enamel, making it resistant to bacterial attacks

Such mouthwashes can prevent gum disease and teeth decay.

Teeth Whitening

Some mouthwashes also contain bleaching agents that whiten the teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is a good example of a bleaching agent in some mouthwashes. You have to use the mouthwash regularly over a prolonged period to experience the benefits.

Masking Bad breath

Bad breath is one of the primary reasons people use mouthwash. The mouthwash should have odor neutralizers or deodorizers, such as astringent salt, to mask bad breath.

Managing Dental Pain 

You can also use mouthwash as a topical pain reliever. You need a mouthwash with a local anesthetic for this function.

Types of Mouthwash

Most dentists recognize two forms of mouthwash.

1. Cosmetic

You can usually buy cosmetic mouthwashes over the counter. The mouthwashes help mask bad mouth odor or whiten the teeth. Cosmetic mouthwashes usually lack ingredients that prevent or manage dental problems, such as antimicrobials.

2. Therapeutic

Therapeutic mouthwashes contain more powerful ingredients than cosmetic mouthwashes. The mouthwashes have active ingredients that kill bacteria, deaden pain, and remineralize the teeth. The most powerful versions of these mouthwashes require prescriptions. Ask your dentist to recommend and prescribe a particular mouthwash to meet your needs.

Choosing Mouthwash

Clearly, mouthwashes have multiple critical benefits. Your choice of mouthwash determines whether you enjoy the benefits. Below are some factors to help you choose.

Objective for Use

People use mouthwashes for different reasons. Determine your reason for the mouthwash and buy one with the relevant active ingredients. For example, get a mouthwash with fluoride if you worry about your teeth's enamel integrity and want to strengthen them.

ADA Certification

The American Dental Association (ADA) tests dental products for safety and effectiveness. The ADA seal of approval means the association has certified a product as safe and effective. Ensure any mouthwash you use has the ADA seal of approval. Otherwise, you might not see the benefits even with prolonged use.

Caveat

Mouthwashes are great, but you should use them with informed consent. Understand the following caveats of mouthwash usage.

Mouthwash Does Not Substitute Other Oral Hygiene Measures

Don't use mouthwash in place of daily brushing and flossing. Brush twice a day and floss once a day with or without mouthwash use. Brushing and flossing remove debris and bacteria on your teeth that mouthwash cannot remove.

Mouthwash Is Not Suitable for Young Children

Dentists do not recommend mouthwash for children under the age of six. Children tend to swallow everything that goes into their mouths. Most mouthwash ingredients are bad for ingestion and might upset the stomach, as well as cause other health problems.

Mouthwash Does Not Necessarily Treat Dental Problems

Lastly, mouthwash should not be your first treatment choice for dental problems. In some cases, mouthwash may mask the problems but not solve them. For example, mouthwash doesn't address the issue of bad breath but rather masks the odor. Consult your dentist for diagnosis and professional treatment.

Carlino & Paton DDS PC provides a range of dental services, including preventive dentistry and oral surgery. Don't resort to DIY treatments if you have a dental problem — contact us for a professional diagnosis and treatment.