What Is The Best Oral Care? Mouthwash Or Brushing?

Introduction

The hardest substance in the human body is the teeth. From biology, it is known that the teeth give the face its shape, and they help us chew and digest food. Furthermore, the teeth help us smile, and they boost confidence.

How can you care for your teeth? Is brushing enough, or should you use mouthwash? This article examines things you need to know about using mouthwash.

What Is Oral Care?

Oral care is simply keeping your mouth clean and maintaining its overall health. You can care for your mouth by brushing and flossing regularly, using a mouthwash, and eating a balanced diet.

Brushing Vs. Mouthwash

Using a toothbrush and toothpaste to scrub your teeth is also known as toothbrushing while using a thin filament to remove food and plaque in between teeth is known as flossing. Brushing and flossing together prevents gum disease and tooth decay. Regardless, there are some bacteria beneath the gum that flossing and brushing cannot remove. This reason is why you need a mouthwash.

Mouthwash is an oral rinse suitable for cleaning the teeth and gums. Using mouthwash can kill harmful bacteria present in your mouth and also prevent tooth decay.

How Does Mouthwash Work?

Mouthwash contains ingredients such as alcohol, eucalyptol, and menthol. These antiseptic ingredients can reach the corners of your mouth and spaces between your teeth to kill bacteria.

Why Should You Use Mouthwash?

Mouthwash can reduce the risk of bad breath, gum disease, and cavities. It also reduces pain from oral sores, gingivitis, and plaque.

Can Mouthwash Improve Plaque?

Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. This bacteria film is sticky, and it can produce acids after eating or drinking. The acids from plaque can cause gum disease and gingivitis. Mouthwash can kill the bacteria that cause plaque.

What Is The Right Way To Use A Mouthwash?

Before using a mouthwash, brush and floss your teeth thoroughly; if your toothpaste contains fluoride, wait for about 30 minutes before using mouthwash because it can wash away the fluoride.

Afterward, Check the quantity of mouthwash suitable for use on the product directions for use. Put the necessary quantity in your mouth and swish it around. Also, gargle for about 30 seconds. The next step is to spit out the mouthwash. Do not swallow.

How Often Should You Use Mouthwash?

Most products recommend using mouthwash twice daily after brushing and flossing. It is best to rinse with mouthwash in the morning and before bed.

What Mouthwash Is The Best?

There are different types of mouthwash on the market; they include antimicrobial, fluoride, odor neutralizers, and astringent salts. Antimicrobial mouthwashes reduce bacteria buildup in the mouth and prevent plaque. Fluoride mouthwashes strengthen the teeth while odor neutralizers and astringent salts reduce bad breath. You can choose a mouthwash to suit your preferences.

Furthermore, when purchasing a mouthwash, look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal. This seal certifies that the mouthwash is effective.

What Mouthwash Do Dentists Recommend?

Dentists recommend mouthwashes depending on the condition of the teeth. There are mouthwashes for strengthening teeth, fighting bad breath, teeth whitening, etc. Some of the mouthwashes dentists recommend include;

• Oral-B Breath Therapy Mouthwash for bad breath
• Crest 3D white brilliance whitening mouthwash for teeth whitening
• CloSYS sensitive mouthwash for sensitive teeth
• Philips Sonicar Breathe Antibacterial mouth rinse for plaque removal
• Toms Maine whole natural mouthwash for strengthening teeth

Downsides Of Using Mouthwash

Mouthwash contains alcohol, and this alcohol can irritate the tissues in the mouth. Another downside is that mouthwash increases tooth sensitivity, and it is not safe for consumption. Children below six years should not use mouthwash to reduce the risk of accidental consumption.

Conclusion

Keeping the teeth clean and in good health is not limited to brushing and flossing alone. Mouthwash can reach crevices that brushes and flosses cannot. Mouthwash is beneficial in reducing plaque, bad breath and also improving the gum.