Are Antiseptic Mouthwashes Effective In Killing Bacteria?

When they forget to rinse, they have this uneasy feeling about not having that minty taste in their mouth. But do you really need to use mouthwash every day? When properly used, it does help prevent tooth decay and oral disease. Should it be a part of your everyday routine? Read on and find out.

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

1. Fights gum disease. Plaque builds up on the teeth from food and bacteria. Gums and tooth sockets can be inflamed and infected when left untreated, which results in periodontal disease.
2. Gives fresh breath. Aside from killing the bacteria that causes bad breath, some mouthwashes also add a refreshing fragrance to the mouth.
3. Reduces risk of cavities. Fluoride found in most mouthwashes reduces demineralization by protecting and strengthening the tooth enamel.
4. Safeguards pregnancy. Hormonal changes lead to higher gingivitis risk among pregnant women. Bacterial infections causing periodontal disease can cause premature delivery and low birth weight among infants.
5. Soothes canker sores or mouth ulcers. Mouthwashes ease canker sores by detoxifying the area and reducing the amount of bacteria irritating the site. You can also get similar results by rinsing with salt water.

Situations to Use Mouthwash

Forgoing the use of mouthwashes will not exactly be detrimental to your health. However, there are a few crucial reasons by some dentists recommend using it. If you suffer from the following diseases, it might be wise to add this step to your daily dental care.

• Bacterial buildup from dental surgery
• Bad breath
• Cavities
• Gum disease
• Periodontal disease from pregnancy
• Tooth decay

Proper Way to Use Mouthwash

Regular use of mouthwash can be good for your oral health. However, there are many people who do not know how to correctly or effectively use it to reap its benefits. If you intend to keep or add mouthwashes to your dental routine, here are some tips to help you.

1. Gargle and swish for at least one minute. Unless you do so, you are merely swilling and spitting it out. The chemicals in mouthwashes will not work until 60 seconds have passed.
2. Use mouthwash along with brushing and flossing. Mouthwash will merely boost your oral health, and not help cure your dental problems.
3. Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash. You might face problems with the high alcohol content of some mouthwashes. An alcohol-free rinse is safer for the teeth and gums, while still giving you its promised benefits.
4. Talk to your dentist about choosing a mouthwash. Your dentist can give you expert recommendation a certain kind of mouthwash to ensure optimal dental health.

Now that you know the benefits of using mouthwash, you certainly can now decide for yourself if you really need this in your daily oral care routine. Keep in mind, though, that opinions on this matter can greatly vary from one dentist to another, but your teeth should just be fine for as long as you properly take care of your teeth and regularly see your dental care provider.