Should I use mouthwash?
Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing daily are healthy habits that dentists recommend. However, the benefits of using a mouthwash or mouth rinse and how to use these products to achieve those benefits may be less understood. While not a replacement for daily brushing and flossing, the use of mouthwash may be a helpful addition to the daily oral hygiene routine for some people.
If you have seen a LISTERINE® Antiseptic ad, you know that mouthwash companies claim that their products reduce plaque and bacteria and help create a healthier mouth. What are the benefits of using mouthwash and how do dentists recommend that it is used?
Types of Mouthwash
It is helpful to note that there are two types of mouth rinse: cosmetic and therapeutic.
First, cosmetic mouthwashes are those marketed to help control bad breath but they contain no chemical ingredients that help the user beyond the temporary benefit of a pleasant taste and smell.
On the other hand, therapeutic mouth rinses have active ingredients intended to help control or reduce conditions like bad breath, gingivitis, plaque, and tooth decay. Active ingredients that may be used in therapeutic mouth rinse include: cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, essential oils, fluoride, or peroxide. When choosing a product, checking to see which active ingredients it contains will help you to know if it will have more beneficial effects than just cosmetic.
Therapeutic mouthwashes are available over the counter and by prescription.
Benefits of Mouthwash
While using therapeutic mouthwash does not take the place of good habits like brushing and flossing, it may offer additional benefits such as:
Freshens breath by killing the germs that cause bad breath
Reduces the risk of cavities
Helps to reduce the risk of early gum disease (periodontal disease)
Offers relief of dry mouth
Reduces the pain from oral sores
Helps to restore minerals to tooth enamel
Adding Mouthwash to Daily Hygiene Habits
When adding mouthwash to daily oral hygiene habits, you may wonder: is it best practice to rinse with these products before or after brushing your teeth?
According to the American Dental Association, the question of whether to rinse before or after brushing may depend on personal preference as well as the type of mouthwash used. To maximize the benefit of the oral care products used, manufacturers may recommend a specific order for their use, depending on the ingredients.
Mouthwashes that contain ingredients like calcium hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide can work against the properties of fluoride and reduce the effectiveness of active ingredients. The ADA suggests that you rinse your mouth with water after brushing and before rinsing if these ingredients are present. Always follow the label instructions and the specific recommendations of your dentist when using any oral or dental hygiene product.
How to Use Mouthwash
When using mouthwash, follow these steps to correctly rinse your mouth using a therapeutic mouthwash.
Pour the recommended amount in a small cup.
Empty the cup into your mouth. Do not dilute the solution with water.
Swish for 30 seconds.
Spit the solution into the sink. Avoid rinsing your mouth with water immediately following the use of mouth rinse.
While not a replacement for other healthy habits such as brushing or flossing, using therapeutic mouthwash twice a day every day can provide anti-cavity, germ-killing or plaque-prevention benefits.
If you have more questions about adding mouthwash to your daily routine, consult our dentists, Drs. Samantha and James Tejada, at WoodSprings Dentistry in Spring, TX. Our dentists strive to provide the best in family and cosmetic dentistry for patients in The Woodlands and Spring, TX, communities, which includes providing resources and coaching on at-home hygiene habits such as the use of mouthwash.
If you are looking for a dentist near you in The Woodlands or Spring, book an appointment at WoodSprings Dentistry to make sure that you are getting the most out of your oral care routine.
Please note that the use of mouthwash is not recommended for children under the age of 6 unless recommended by a dentist.