Blog

Some dentists swear by using mouthwash as part of your daily oral hygiene routine. In contrast, others advise limiting the use to a few times a week and instead focusing on improving your twice-daily brushing and flossing routine.

Besides freshening up bad breath or providing a bright, white smile, mouthwashes can play a vital role as part of your daily cleansing package by reducing gum disease, tooth decay, and the build-up of plaque and tartar.

However, says WebMD, over-the-counter mouthwashes are not a cure-all for serious problems such as chronic bad breath, oral sores, dry mouth conditions or regular bouts of gingivitis – bleeding gums which affect cardiovascular health if left untreated. You need to see your dentist for such situations to follow a more potent mouthwash prescription course.   

The ingredients 

The store has a variety of brands, some purporting to whiten teeth, kill germs or freshen breath. Dentists choose the brand based on the primary condition they hope to improve. You have to read the labels carefully.

Mouthwashes usually contain one or more of the following ingredients:

• Cetylpyridinium chloride: paralyses and kills odour-causing bacteria. It is a temporary solution because odour causing bacteria usually originates in the gut. You need to see a doctor to treat digestive disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Odour neutralisers, such as menthol or essential oils, also work on attacking foul odours and limiting the bacteria’s growth that causes plaque build-up on your teeth.
• Fluoride: is the main ingredient that actively reduces tooth decay and prevents cavities. Dentists also recommend that you use a toothpaste containing fluoride and choose to drink fluoridated water.
• Antimicrobials: for early-stage prevention of gum disease. The ingredient kills bacteria that cause bad breath in the oral cavity, reduces plaque, and prevents gingivitis, an inflammatory condition that affects the gums.
• Astringent salt: a deodoriser that temporarily masks bad breath
• Whiteners: usually chlorhexidine, peroxide which helps to reduce stains on your teeth
• Benzocaine: is found in medical mouthwashes that your dentist is likely to prescribe following dental surgery or to treat sores.

Mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and flossing your teeth which is essential for removing particles of food stuck between your teeth—failure to cleanse your mouth results in cavities and gum disease. The mouthwash liquid assists in this cleansing routine by penetrating hard to reach places between your teeth and gums.

However, you should keep the mouthwash safely out of reach of children because the solutions can be hazardous if swallowed in large amounts, reports Tee Family Dental.

Best techniques

Besides following the instructions on the product, you have to be patient, as it could take weeks before you get the desired effect.

The question remains how often you should swish and spit mouthwash. Some dentists concur that you can use a generic mouthwash at least twice a day after brushing and flossing for 30 – 60 seconds. You need to get that liquid moving through the hard to reach places in your mouth before you spit it out. 

Twice a day, swishing should offer you protection throughout the day and overnight. However, a dentist prescribed medical mouthwash should only be used as indicated for treatment to be effective.

To further assist good oral hygiene practice and keeping your mouth fresh and clean, Tee Family Dental say you need to drink lots of water every day to stay hydrated and keep your mouth producing saliva, which flushes impurities. 

Besides this, you need to eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and avoid consuming sugary foods and drinks as this is the main culprit when it comes to cavities, gum disease and bad breath. 

Side-effects

The downside of using bacteria-killing mouthwash twice a day is that safety concerns have been raised in a recent study, such as whether over-usage can be linked to diabetes. 

According to Geisinger.org, most modern mouthwashes focus on killing bacteria instead of masking foul breath odours. Over-use of mouthwash kills bad bacteria or microorganisms that cause plaque and bad breath and kills good bacteria and other microorganisms that assist with bodily functions in both the oral and gut microbiome. Thereby leading to harmful disruptions and imbalances in the mouth. 

Bacteria

Between 75-200 trillion different types of bacteria live in your body or on your skin. These co-exist and help with bodily functions, such as forming chemicals that are instrumental in regulating blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and other crucial functions, all related to diabetes. 

The study found that twice-daily use of mouthwash reduces beneficial bacteria chemical levels by about 90 per cent. And that at least 55 per cent of the study participants who are swishing mouthwash twice a day are at risk of developing type-2 diabetes within three years, or they may experience dangerous blood sugar spikes. 

Dentists caution that although there are many benefits to using mouthwash, it is better to improve oral hygiene practice, diet and exercise and limit multiple daily uses of antibacterial mouthwash. 

 Affinity Dental

Even Though there are several checks you can do for yourself in the comfort of your own home, the best advice is to go to a dental professional. Do not attempt to do any of your own dental work. Dentistry is a trained professional that takes years of study. 

Affinity Dental has different levels of dental insurance cover, depending on your individual needs and budget. Each tier of options covers specific specialist dental work. You decide what you need.