Along with brushing twice daily and flossing once a day, using an anti-bacterial mouth rinse can help improve your oral health. When you’re thinking of adding a mouth rinse to your dental hygiene routine, the numerous options available can be overwhelming, so it’s a good idea to ask your dental professionals for their recommendation.

Mouthwash types

There are two main types of mouthwash: therapeutic mouthwashes and cosmetic mouthwashes. Therapeutic mouthwashes help prevent dental disease such a gum disease and tooth decay with their anti-plaque and antibacterial properties. Reducing plaque and tartar with a therapeutic mouthwash can decrease your risk of gum inflammation and gum disease. Some therapeutic mouthwashes contain fluoride, which improves their tooth decay fighting abilities. Cosmetic mouthwashes work to freshen your breath and may including whitening agents, but they don’t usually include the same effective agents as therapeutic mouthwashes.

Benefits of therapeutic mouthwash

Using a therapeutic mouthwash can benefit your oral health in a variety of ways. If you have any concerns about using mouthwash, consult with your dentist first to learn what will work best for your specific dental health.

• Source of fluoride – Using mouthwash with fluoride may lower the risk of developing tooth decay as studies show that fluoride strengthens enamel and reduces the breakdown of the protective surface of the teeth. Strong enamel can help prevent cavities. Some types of fluoride used in mouthwash serve as antibacterials that protect against gum disease.
• Prevent gum disease – A therapeutic antibacterial mouthwash helps prevent gum disease by lowering the amount of harmful bacteria in your mouth. That harmful bacterium usually feeds on food particles and releases acids that weaken bone and inflame gums, but reducing the amount of bacteria helps your oral health.
• Protect against pregnancy gingivitis – When a woman is pregnant, the elevated hormone levels can make them more prone to developing gum disease if they don’t maintain proper oral hygiene. Research has shown a link between gum disease in an expecting mother to preterm and low weight babies. By using a therapeutic mouthwash (with the approval of their doctor and dentist), a pregnant woman can protect her mouth against gingivitis and the most advanced stages of gum disease.

Disadvantages of therapeutic mouthwash

Although using therapeutic mouthwash can be beneficial to oral health, it also has certain disadvantages such is irritating canker sores. Therapeutic mouthwashes can freshen bad breath temporarily but are not substitute for proper oral hygiene and dental visits to prevent the sources of bad breath. Alcohol based mouthwashes can create a burning sensation that some patients may not like, but there are numerous alternatives that can be just as effective.

Adding mouthwash use to your oral hygiene routine can help improve your dental health, but it shouldn’t take the place of proper brushing and flossing. Mouthwash is another tool in the fight against oral health issues. To learn more ways to protect and improve your dental health, contact Dupont Dental.