Is mouthwash good for your teeth?
Mouthwash. Many of us never use it, some of us use it occasionally, and for those of us who use it religiously, it’s never in our mouths for very long. So, this begs the question, does mouthwash actually work? And is it any good for your teeth?
Let’s find out.
What is mouthwash?
We thought we’d start from the very beginning and answer the simple question of: What is mouthwash?
The basic purpose of mouthwash, mouth rinse, oral rinse, or whatever you choose to call it, is to rinse out the mouth with the purpose of freshening breath. With that being said, some mouthwashes also claim to reduce plaque and therefore minimise other dental issues too.
Depending on the specific mouthwash, most of them contain a solution of detergent, alcohol, water and preservatives.
Is mouthwash good for your teeth?
So, this brings us to what you all really want to know: Is mouthwash good for your teeth?
The simple answer is yes. A short 30 second mouthwash each day can result in reducing dental issues such as plaque build-up and gingivitis – the fresher, nicer smelling breath is just a bonus.
Along with this, regular ‘mouth washing’ can reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth – awesome!
How do I know which mouthwash to buy?
Now that you know mouthwash is actually good for your teeth, you want to go out and buy some, right?
But with so many options on the shelves, how on earth do you know which one to buy?
Which mouthwash you buy, will depend on what you hope to get from your mouthwash. Here are some important points to consider when choosing the right mouthwash for you:
- Smelling fresh
If your sole purpose for using mouthwash is for breath to smell like mint, then it would make sense to purchase a mouthwash that smells nice and minty without being expensive.
- Dry mouth
Suffer from a dry mouth? You probably don’t want to make this any worse, which is why we would recommend buying a mouthwash that is free of alcohol.
- Fight tooth decay
If your main reason for purchasing mouthwash is to help fight tooth decay, then you want to make sure you buy a mouthwash which contains extra fluoride. Fluoride can be toxic when ingested in large amounts, so don’t accidentally swallow it!
- Fight gum disease
If you have a problem with gum disease, then chlorhexidine (Savacol or Cordosyl) could be the best option for you. Speak to your dentist first though.
- Nice and natural
Prefer to use natural products? Saltwater is a good alternative for the short term, as it acts as a natural disinfectant, so it’s especially great after dental treatment or surgery.
But before you rush off to regularly gargle in the ocean, remember that used in the long-term can lead to tooth erosion, so you may want to reconsider.
The verdict is in. mouthwash is good for your teeth. So good in fact, that a short 30 second mouthwash each day can result in reducing dental issues such as plaque build-up and gingivitis – the fresher, nicer smelling breath is just a bonus.
Want some advice on which mouthwash is right for you? Book an appointment with one of our dentist professionals at Karalee Family Dental, your local Brassall Dentist today.
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