Taking care of your dental and oral health is not just about having clean white teeth. As a matter of fact, a lot of researchers talk about a number of bacteria present in our mouths. These bacteria get into our bodies and find their way into the bloodstream. Neglecting the importance of cleaning your mouth thoroughly can have a lot of adverse effects. This is why it is important to understand the benefits of mouthwash and why it is essential to use.
You should clean your teeth at least twice per day. Most dentists recommend that you brush your teeth after every meal. Flossing also removes the small particles of food that get stuck between your teeth. Over time and if they are not regularly removed, they might lead to tooth decay. Teeth brushing and flossing prevent the food remains from reacting with your teeth enamel and gum. This can harm them in the long run. But is this enough? Many researchers argue that it is not.
What is a Mouthwash?
A mouthwash is a liquid formula that comes bottled for regular use. It doesn’t replace daily brushing and flossing your teeth. It compliments your dental hygiene regime to keep your teeth in top condition. Mouthwashes contain several ingredients that help dissolve the food remains stuck in your mouth. This helps to eliminate the harmful bacteria and keeps your mouth clean and healthy.
What are the Benefits of Mouthwash?
Most dentists recommend that you use a mouthwash daily or twice a day. However, it is important to know that mouthwashes have a lot of different formulas that work for different purposes. You need to pick the one that best suits your personal needs.
Freshens your Breath:
One of the most important benefits of using mouthwash is that it will keep your mouth smelling fresh. A lot of people suffer from bad breath, especially in the morning. A good mouthwash can help with this problem. By using an effective formula every day, you will be eliminating the mucus, bacteria and food remains that hide in places your brush and floss are unable to reach. By the time, these bacteria start to produce that awful smell that can mess with your self-confidence.
There are always various flavors to choose from. You can always pick the one that suits you. Using one every day can boost your self-esteem as you know you have a fresh breath. It can also have a great impact on your personal and social relationships.
Fights off Plaque:
Plaque is a soft sticky layer made of bacteria. This layer covers teeth and gum and leads to tooth decay and gum disease. This condition is also known as gingivitis. Using a mouthwash regularly will prevent the build-up of plaque. It will loosen up the layer before it hardens and becomes an acute problem.
A mouthwash will reach all the hard to reach corners to prevent the formation of new plaque. However, it will do little to the already hard plaque in your mouth. This will have to be removed by the dentist.
Makes Brushing and Flossing More Effective:
After some meals, your mouth might be a mess. Using a mouthwash or a mouth rinse before brushing will help remove and loosen up some of the sticky food particles. This will make the brushing and be flossing more efficient. You can also use your mouthwash after regularly brushing your teeth to make sure that your mouth is cleaner.
Prevent Cavities:
Mouthwashes come in different formulas. You can pick one with fluoride if you have weak teeth. This will help strengthen the enamel, thus making them more resistant to cavities. Teeth cavities demineralize your teeth, weakening their bodies and causing them eventually to fall off. By adding a good mouthwash to your dental health regimen, you are making sure that you are keeping your teeth clean and healthy.
Kill Harmful Bacteria:
Bad dental health can lead to a lot of serious problems. Some researchers actually relate cardiac problems to dental problems. Using a mouthwash will prevent the formation of gum ulcers that release germs and toxins into the bloodstream.
One of the benefits of alcohol-free mouthwash is that it won’t dry your mouth. A dry mouth is a perfect environment for bad bacteria. Some researchers also link the dry mouth to some types of cancer. This is why you should always pick an alcohol free formula that will maintain the proper PH and moisture in your mouth.
Whiten Your Teeth:
As mentioned, one of the benefits of mouthwash is that it will complement the action of your toothpaste and floss. So if you want to whiten your teeth, you can actually buy the best teethwhitening mouthwash. This can work alone or with your whitening toothpaste to remove food and coffee stains.
Whitening mouthwashes might be a better option for people who have sensitive teeth. Some whitening toothpaste can be too much for sensitive teeth. However, a good mouthwash will deliver the same results, maybe slower but definitely gentler.
Cure Teeth Sensitivity:
The reason behind teeth sensitivity lies in the gum. A soothing mouthwash can help with that. Using a mouthwash that is specially formulated for sensitive teeth can actually make your sensitive teeth feel better.
How to Use the Mouthwash?
Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. You need to understand how to use the mouthwash properly in order to get the most benefits.
- Use the right amount of the mouthwash. Using too much of the mouthwash can be irritating. At the same time, using too little will not be enough to deliver the benefits of mouthwash.
- Pay attention to the instructions of use. Some formulas need to be diluted, while others should be used the way they are. If you don’t dilute a concentrated formula, you can actually harm your teeth in the long run. By the same token, if you dilute a formula that should be used as it is, you will be depriving your teeth of the benefits.
- Swish the mouthwash. This will help move the formula inside your mouth to reach all corners and angles. As a result, you will be able to give your mouth a proper rinse. Most formulas need to be swished for 30 seconds to 1 minute in order to deliver the best benefits.
- Spit the mouthwash. Some formulas contain fluoride which is toxic to swallow. You should always spit your mouthwash after use and not swallow it.
Although the list of benefits of mouthwash goes on and on, it is very important to understand that it complements. A mouthwash doesn’t replace your regular oral care regimen. Use your mouthwash with your regular toothpaste and floss for best results.
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