Do I Really Need To Use Mouthwash? Here's How You Can Decide?

To maintain a healthy mouth, it’s important that you brush and floss every day. But you may be asking, should I also be using mouth wash every day too? Well the answer really depends on what your needs are.

The biggest reasons why people use mouthwash is to help kill bacteria, for additional fluoride to help strengthen their teeth, or they simply want a fresh, clean feeling.

We’ll dive into these reasons a little bit further to help you determine if you should add mouthwash to your daily routine and the best way to effectively rinse your mouth. But of course, if you are unsure about whether or not to use mouthwash, call Dr. Sutton at Dapper Dental and ask if it is right for you!

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Different Types Of Mouthwash

The two big categories of mouthwash either freshen breath, strength enamel, or both.

Most mouthwashes have an antiseptic ingredient, like alcohol, menthol, or eucalyptol. These are great for killing any bacteria that’s living in between your teeth or the back of your mouth. So a good swish can help eliminate bacteria that your toothbrush and flossing missed.

Some mouthwashes also claim to help strengthen your enamel with the addition of fluoride and by controlling plaque. Plaque forms on your teeth and if not removed, can turn into tartar, which can only be removed during a professional dental cleaning.

If you’re having great checkups with your dentist without the use of mouthwash, there may not be a need for it. But if you’re prone to bad breath or have issues with cavities, your dentist may recommend adding mouthwash to your daily care routine.

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How To Use Mouthwash

First, there is a debate among reputable organizations when it’s best to use mouthwash, before or after brushing your teeth.

While the Mayo Clinic instructs people to rinse their mouth after brushing and flossing, he National Health Service’s instructions says rising after brushing isn’t advisable because you’re rinsing away all the fluoride from your toothpaste. And then the American Dental Association says it’s really up to you.

You can check the instructions on your bottle of mouth wash to help you decide when it’s best to rinse your mouth if you’re not sure. It could also depend on the other products you use as part of your daily routine.

Secondly, be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle when it comes to how much mouthwash to use and how long do you keep it in your mouth. If you put too much mouthwash in your mouth, you may be more prone to swallowing it. You are not meant to swallow mouthwash, so be sure to follow the guidelines and have enough where you can easily swish it around in your mouth.

As Dr. Sutton in Winter Park, FL will tell you...mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and flossing. So make sure rinsing your mouth is a supplement, not a substitution to your daily dental routine. You can view the variety of ADA approved mouthwashes for children and adults, as well as a variety of other ADA approved dental products. At your next visit to Dapper Dental, be sure to ask Dr. Sutton about any questions or concerns you have regarding mouthwash.