Your oral health is a window to your overall health. Having good oral care routines is essential to both your oral and overall health. Everyone understands this, and yet, many people do not have a good oral care routine. For them, oral care simply means brushing their teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. What this routine ignores is the importance of using mouthwash. People tend to assume that once you spit out your toothpaste, your oral care routine is over. However, experts say that using mouthwash should be a part of your oral care routine. The American Dental Association highly recommends that people use mouthwash as a part of their oral care routine. Let’s discuss how mouthwash can benefit you.
Mouthwash is not just to give your mouth a fresh, clean feeling. It has clear benefits for your oral health. The kind of benefits you’ll get from your mouthwash depends on what kind you use. There are two kinds: cosmetic and therapeutic.
Therapeutic mouthwash is designed to fight plaque, gingivitis, bad breath, tooth decay, and bacteria. It is made from active ingredients such as chlorhexidine, sodium benzoate, cetylpyridinium chloride, and fluoride. Cosmetic mouthwashes are designed to fight bad breath or to whiten your teeth.
Mouthwash Helps Fight Cavities
Therapeutic mouthwash is essential for preventing cavities. Chlorhexidine, for instance, controls the formation of plaque as well as gingivitis. Fluoride, on the other hand, strengthens tooth enamel and protects teeth from acid-induced damage. Mouthwash gets to places that brushing and flossing simply cannot reach. If you are primarily concerned about fighting cavities, look for a mouthwash with “fluoridated” labeled somewhere on the bottle.
Mouthwash Fights Bad Breath and Gum Disease
Therapeutic mouthwashes are very good at targeting specific problems. For example, you can get mouthwash to fight cavities, and you can get antibacterial or antiseptic mouthwash and fight plaque and tooth decay. Chlorhexidine is very popular with people who want to fight gum disease, such as gingivitis. It can also help treat ulcers, thanks to its ability to stop the formation of new ones. Cetylpyridinium chloride fights the microbes that cause bad breath.
Fight Oral Health Conditions
Medicated mouthwashes are very good for fighting a variety of oral health conditions. For example, they can help with chronic dry mouth, oral surgeries, chronic sinus inflammations, tonsil stones, or acid reflux. You can even get mouthwashes to fight dental sensitivities such as chronic pain when eating ice cream.
Cosmetic Mouthwash Has Temporary Benefits
Cosmetic dentists will tell you that cosmetic mouthwashes will only temporarily deal with bad breath. If you have serious problems, you need to see a dentist. Cosmetic mouthwash has only temporary benefits. You see, if a product cannot kill the bacteria that causes bad breath, which cosmetic mouthwash cannot do, then the benefits can only be temporary. Some cosmetic mouthwashes contain carbamide peroxide, which helps with teeth whitening, but that is the extent of the benefits you’ll derive from mouthwash. So do not try to use cosmetic mouthwash for more severe problems.