Why You Should Be Using Mouthwash

For most people, a daily home dental routine simply involves a toothbrush, toothpaste, a quick scrub and a rise of the mouth. Mouthwash is often overlooked, usually because most of us are not well-informed about the benefits of adding this simple treatment to our routine.

Benefits of Mouthwash

The best way to tackle bad breath is to include a mouthwash ritual to your post-meal dental care routine. Leftover food debris remains stuck in the mouth, between teeth, where the process of decay begins within hours. Therapeutic mouthwashes with mild antimicrobials are enough to give you the protection you need for cleaner, more neutral breath. Rinsing your mouth thoroughly will dislodge stubborn food debris and go a long way in preventing unwanted tooth decay over time.

Mouthwash has been shown to significantly reduce the development of plaque and gingivitis. In combination with regular brushing and flossing, mouthwash helps to rinse the gums thoroughly which prevents gum disease.
Products which contain Fluoride are always a winner! Decades of research show that fluoride plays a large role in preventing tooth decay and has transformed dental health globally! Flouride aids in remineralising teeth, keeping them strong and more resilient to decay caused by preservatives and sugars in our daily food.

Types of Mouthwash

There are two main types of mouthwash: cosmetic and therapeutic. Dentists on the Gold Coast provides you with information about each!

Therapeutic mouthwashes are available both over-the-counter and by prescription. They are generally mild and easy to use, but provide significant protection from plaque build-up, gingivitis, bad breath and tooth decay.

For children younger than the age of 6, mouthwash should not be used unless recommended by a dentist. Mouthwashes are not to be ingested in larger amounts and young children could inadvertently swallow the liquid while swirling it around in their mouths.

On the other hand, cosmetic mouthwashes may help to temporarily control bad breath and leave a pleasant taste in the mouth but have no significant effect. A product that does not have the all-important effect of killing bad mouth bacteria will not reduce bad breath. Therapeutic mouthwash products have active ingredients intended for this purpose.

Active ingredients that may be used in therapeutic mouthwash include:

• Cetylpyridinium chloride
• Chlorhexidine
• Essential oils
• Fluoride
• Peroxide

All of these active ingredients have a proven track record and are known to be completely safe when included in mouthwashes by dental experts. Cetylpyridinium chloride and essential oils have been shown to control plaque and gingivitis. Fluoride is a proven agent in the prevention of tooth decay. Peroxide is a common ingredient present in several whitening mouthwashes. Mouthwashes which contain chlorhexidine may sometimes require a prescription but you can easily obtain fluoride and essential oil containing products over the counter at your local pharmacy.

Mouthwash Tips from the Experts

If you find that your mouthwash is too strong, you can dilute it with equal parts water to make it easier to use.

Mouthwash is an excellent addition to your dental routine but keep in mind that it is not a replacement for brushing and flossing!

It may take some getting used to, but always avoid rinsing teeth with water after using mouthwash. For best results, do not consume any liquids and foods for about 30 minutes as this could diminish the cleansing and anti-microbial effects of the active ingredients.

Visit Dentists on the Gold Coast online today for everything you need to know about cosmetic dentistry. If you prefer to speak directly to our friendly, highly-trained staff, contact us and we will answer any and all questions you may have!