Why You Shouldn’t Skip Mouthwash

So, you’ve nailed brushing like a rock star: twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and using a two-minute timer for each session. And you’ve followed through on your dentist’s recommendation to floss every day. That’s awesome! At Beckham Square Family Dental, we see patients who brush and floss regularly, but their oral hygiene routine could include one more beneficial element: mouthwash.

Like flossing, adding mouthwash to your daily dental care routine reduces food debris and bacteria and reaches areas of the mouth that regular brushing and even flossing can’t. An oral hygiene routine that includes mouthwash has been shown to reduce gingivitis, plaque, and gum disease, as well as the risk of tooth decay. It’s definitely something you should do at least once a day.

Here’s what you need to know about using mouthwash to improve your dental health:

Mouthwash Makes Daily Dental Care Comprehensive

While mouthwash isn’t a substitute for daily brushing and flossing, it’s an excellent supplement to your oral health routine. It may even help with bad breath. Mouthwash reaches areas of your mouth that simply brushing and flossing cannot. This can lead to healthier teeth and gums and a lower risk of dental emergencies.

The areas of your mouth most susceptible to becoming the source of dental problems are between the teeth and at the gum line. Brushing and using mouthwash help clean and stimulate the gums, while flossing removes the plaque between the teeth. Together, these practices form a comprehensive dental care routine, along with the six-month dental cleanings and exams at your family dentist’s office.

Young Children Shouldn’t Use Mouthwash

The American Dental Association (ADA) doesn’t recommend mouthwash for children under six. Its website states: “Children younger than the age of 6 should not use mouthwash, unless directed by a dentist, because they may swallow large amounts of the liquid inadvertently.”

That likely applies to children in general. But it doesn’t mean that teaching your kids about oral hygiene as early as possible, including regular dental cleanings, isn’t important for their long-term oral health. Once your kids understand that swallowing mouthwash isn’t healthy, you can add it to their dental hygiene routine. Ask your family dentist for advice if you’re wondering whether it’s time to introduce mouthwash into your child’s dental hygiene regimen.

At-Home Dental Cleaning Care: DIY Saltwater Mouthwash

For adults, mouthwash offers real benefits for your oral health. You can even make a simple saline mouthwash at home:

• Dissolve a teaspoon of salt into a glass of mildly warm water.
• Swish it around for about a minute.
• Spit: Do not swallow the salt water.

Dentists recommend swishing with salt water 3-4 times a week. Saltwater can reduce inflammation, making your mouth less hospitable to bacteria that cause tooth decay. However, make sure the salt is fully dissolved so that abrasive salt particles don’t scrape your teeth.

Regular Use of Mouthwash Prevents Gum Disease

There are bacteria on your teeth that trigger inflammation in your gums. Mouthwash helps kill these harmful bacteria, as well as the bacteria (some of which you’re bound to miss even with the best brush-and-floss routine) that accumulate at your gum line and can cause gingivitis. If you have periodontal disease or excessive levels of harmful mouth bacteria, rinsing with mouthwash will benefit you, too.

The Type of Mouthwash You Use Matters

The therapeutic benefits of mouthwashes vary by type and brand, as well as whether they’re cosmetic or therapeutic. For instance, some are designed solely to combat bad breath, while others target issues such as receding gums and weakened enamel. The best mouthwashes are rich in fluoride. Be wary of products that rely heavily on alcohol, as they dry out the mouth and cause discomfort.

Healthy mouthwashes carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This Seal helps “consumers and dental professionals identify oral health products that meet rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness. The Seal is awarded by the American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs after careful evaluation of scientific evidence.”

You may have heard of an alternative to mouthwash called oil pulling. This involves swishing coconut oil or another oil around in your mouth for about five minutes, moving it back and forth between your teeth. While some of our patients ask about this method, we don’t recommend it as a replacement for brushing and flossing; there’s no substitute for those.

Prescription Mouthwashes are Available for Decay and Gingivitis

If you have extensive gum disease or tooth decay, your dentist may prescribe a mouthwash that is not available over the counter. These often contain higher levels of fluoride or chlorhexidine than OTC products, which help rebuild tooth enamel. Prescription mouthwashes can help ward off infection and include powerful medications that further combat the bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay. Ask your dentist if a prescription mouthwash is right for you.

Pregnant Women Benefit from Mouthwash

If you are pregnant, you may get added benefits from mouthwash. It helps fight “pregnancy gingivitis,” a type of gum disease experienced by pregnant people. Unfortunately, some types of gum disease that develop during pregnancy can lead to birth complications and even premature labor.

Our bottom line: Mouthwash is a smart addition to your daily dental care routine. To avoid oral pathologies such as gum disease, tooth decay, and jaw shrinkage, contact Beckham Square Family Dental for regular dental care, including professional cleanings, exams, and X-rays. We help our patients take strong, preventive measures to protect their oral health, and that includes choosing the best mouthwash and other products. A comprehensive oral health routine is the best way to prevent these issues and keep your mouth healthy in the long term.