Should You Use Mouthwash?

Mouthwash has been marketed to aid oral health fight cavities, bad breath and gingivitis. However, does using mouthwash really improve overall oral health? According to Surrey family dentists, it really depends on the oral care you need when it comes to determining if mouthwash is included in your oral care regimen.

The Purpose of Mouthwash

Different types of mouthwash are available in the market, some of them claiming to help whiten your teeth or freshen your breath while others help fight cavities and gum disease. The limitations to these claims are that daily use of toothpaste rich in fluoride is all it needs to protect teeth against cavities and oral decay. Although mouthwashes are great at fighting bad breath for a few hours, some professionals suggest that many non-prescription types of mouthwash are more effective at preventing gum disease compared to simply rinsing with water. Some dental professionals also question the value of mouthwashes that claim to fight plaque and are worried that using mouthwash may hide possible symptoms of oral health problems.

Make Mouthwash Effective

To get the most of your mouthwash, make sure to brush and floss your teeth before rinsing with it. Use only what is instructed in the packaging. With closed lips, swish the mouthwash around your mouth for at least 30 seconds. Make sure not to eat or drink for 30 minutes to get the most out of the fluoride and other active ingredients in the mouthwash. And, pay attention to the instructions written in the bottle, in case they are different from the general procedure mentioned above.

Do I really need to use mouthwash?

Mouthwashes are designed to help prevent cavities, freshen breath, prevent tartar buildup, relax sensitive teeth and gums and whiten your teeth.

And for the most part, mouthwashes do all these promises. However, unless your dentist recommends you to use mouthwash – you don’t have to use it to improve oral health.

As a matter of fact, if you do find that you are depending on mouthwash to try and prevent having bad breath, it may be a good time to visit your dentist.