The Role of Mouthwash in Your Oral Care Routine

You have heard all of your life about how important flossing and brushing are, but what about mouthwash? A walk down the dental aisle at your local drug store may leave you questioning whether or not mouthwash is necessary. After all, many claim to fight cavities and prevent gum disease, so adding them to your daily oral health care routine seems like something that you should do. Right?

First, let's take a look at what mouthwash is not

Mouthwash is not a replacement for brushing and flossing. Period. Floss is a tool that was specifically designed to reach the tight spaces between the teeth in order to remove tiny food particles that become stuck after eating and to remove plaque buildup from between the teeth. Toothbrushes are designed to loosen and brush away plaque from the surfaces of the teeth. Mouthwash is not designed to do either of these jobs. Nothing can take the place of flossing daily and brushing at least twice a day for the purposes of cleaning your teeth.

Now, let's look at what mouthwash is

Mouthwash is a tool that can be used alongside your oral health care routine to help support the health of your mouth. Mouthwash is a rinsing agent that can have ingredients supported by the American Dental Association (ADA) to help prevent cavities and lower your risk of gum disease. It is a good idea to choose a mouthwash with the ADA's seal of acceptance to help ensure that your mouthwash has ingredients shown to support oral health.

Is it a Good Idea for You?

Antibacterial mouthwash helps to reduce the bacteria that make up dental plaque. While mouthwash will not remove plaque from the teeth, it can help reduce the bacteria within the plaque so that the effects of plaque may be lessened. It is helpful to understand your individual risk for gum disease and cavities, as this can be an influential factor in whether or not you should add mouthwash to your daily dental hygiene routine.

Pregnant women may also benefit from using an ADA approved mouthwash, as hormone changes during pregnancy can make the gums more irritated and vulnerable to gum disease. Research has associated gum disease with pregnancy complications such as preterm labor and low birth weight, so supporting gum health during pregnancy is worthwhile. Your dentist and physician can help you decide what's right for you.

If you have any questions regarding mouthwash and whether or not you should add it to your oral health care routine, contact Green Dentistry today. We are here to help you work toward optimal oral health throughout every aspect of dental care.