Is it good to use mouthwash every day?
Do you know precisely what mouthwash is for and how to choose the best option among so many available on the market?
If your answer is: to leave a pleasant smell in your mouth or replace some brushing, believe me, you need to continue this reading.
To understand what a mouthwash is and how it really works in the mouth.
Is it reasonable to use mouthwash every day?
Mouthwash is an essential complement to efficient mouth hygiene, as long as it is used together with good brushing and flossing.
And although one of its most well-known functions is to mitigate bad breath, this is not its primary indication.
Mouthwashes help prevent plaque formation, reducing the accumulation of tartar on the teeth and, consequently, preventing the formation of cavities.
When choosing a mouthwash, it is best to give preference to antiseptics without alcohol.
Alcohol, of any kind, not only from rinses, attacks the gum lining and strikes the surface of resins, leaving them more porous.
This porosity causes food dyes to deposit on them, changing the original color of the teeth, compromising aesthetics.
Choose a product that also contains fluoride. It works as an auxiliary source of this substance that acts directly on strengthening teeth, promoting their demineralization, and serving as a bacteriostatic component, preventing local bacterial growth.
Pay attention to the composition of the rinse so as not to choose a product that contains chlorhexidine.
This substance is a bactericide with anti-inflammatory action, indicated for post-surgical use, which should be used only with a medical prescription and for a short period.
It is best to consult your dentist. Only he can indicate the most suitable product for your case.
What is a mouthwash, and why should I use it?
The rinse is a solution that contains chemical substances that complement the mechanical cleaning, that is, the use of dental floss, brushing with toothpaste (preferably with soft and white bristles), and cleaning the tongue, which can be done with the brush itself or with a specific sanitizer.
It also serves to assist in some treatments and the prevention of diseases but always playing an adjuvant.
If used correctly, the mouthwash helps to maintain a healthier mouth.
What are the precautions when using mouthwash?
The first care is to talk to your dentist. Even though they are sold freely, depending on the dosage and the type of chemical compounds, the rinses can act as medicine or poison.
They can be indicated as antiseptics to prevent infections in dental surgery or treat gingivitis. But they can also cause the damage that we have listed above.
Can I choose my own mouthwash?
No. At first, it may seem that we know how to choose a product without the dentist's recommendation, but in the short and medium term, this choice can produce unwanted side effects.
For example, a person with gingivitis may benefit, initially, from the use of mouthwashes such as chlorhexidine, which has excellent anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis action.
However, its prolonged use can stain teeth, tongue, restorations, dental prostheses, and the mouth.
How long does the effect last in the mouth?
It depends. There are rinses whose effect lasts for up to 12 hours with antimicrobial action, but there are also those that last only a few hours.
How many times a day can I use the mouthwash?
The ideal amount varies according to the needs of each individual. If the person is undergoing periodontal treatment, for example, the dentist can indicate the punctual use of the product.
But in general, experts recommend using it only twice a day, but always with professional guidance.
And in some cases, it can even alter the taste and cause wounds.
Can children also use mouthwash?
The mouthwash is not recommended for children under 6 years of age; an adult needs to supervise to ensure the correct use of the product.
Remember that children under 12 should always use alcohol-free versions. The literature shows that healthy habits acquired in childhood and their benefits are carried into adulthood.
When acquired since that period, the behavior makes patients more aware of the importance of the 3 steps of oral hygiene.
Can mouthwash remove tartar?
Tartar is the untreated plaque that calcifies, and in this condition, brushing and flossing cannot remove it.
Only the dentist, through professional scraping and cleaning, can eliminate this problem.
However, the primary way to prevent the formation of tartar is to promote adequate oral hygiene through effective control of the bacterial plaque before its calcification occurs.
It is worth mentioning that brushing alone does not remove all plaque present in the mouth.
The complete routine (with dental floss, brushing, and rinsing) reduces up to 99% of the bacteria that cause plaque in the oral cavity. In comparison, mechanical methods only (dental floss and brushing) reach only 25% of the mouth area.
Does mouthwash help bad breath?
Yes. They have an action against bacteria associated with halitosis, whose primary cause is bacterial plaque deposited on the back of the tongue.
However, bad breath can also be the result of other oral problems, such as periodontal disease and caries, in addition to certain systemic conditions such as stomach problems, for example.
In addition, some types of food such as garlic and onion, smoking, drinking alcohol, prolonged fasting, and dehydration can contribute to this oral problem.
Does mouthwash bring health problems?
When misused, without the accompaniment of the dentist, mouthwash can indeed bring a series of oral health problems. See some of them below:
Bad breath Ironically, the excessive use of mouthwash, especially those containing alcohol in its formulation, can cause a problem that the product promises to solve: bad breath.
Alcohol dries out the mucous membranes of the mouth, causing a peeling that forms a bacterial plaque on the tongue, known as the lingual coating, responsible for the foul odor.
Reduced taste The continued use of mouthwashes with alcohol also inhibits the functions of the taste buds, compromising the taste.
Stains on teeth Mouthwashes change the pH of saliva and make your teeth more porous due to their action on tooth enamel.
With more porosity, teeth are more susceptible to yellow and gray spots caused by greater exposure to dentin and pigmented foods, such as coffee and wine, and by the dyes used in the product.
Mouth cancer Some studies suggest that the prolonged and indiscriminate use of mouthwash with alcohol would increase the risk of developing oral cancer.
In 90% of cases, the type of oral cancer with the highest incidence is related to cigarettes and alcohol, in addition to the HPV virus.
The alcohol present in mouthwash formulations acts as an antibacterial and germicide. However, the product does not distinguish between the bacteria necessary for the natural flora of the mouth and those harmful to oral health.
By eliminating the good bacteria, the rinses would make room for the more significant growth of the harmful resistant bacteria, increasing the risk of cancerous lesions.
However, it is essential to note that the courts did not deem it necessary for the rinses to have on their labels a warning about this possible damage due to the lack of sufficient studies to prove the relationship between the product's alcohol and oral cancer.
Is mouthwash indispensable for oral hygiene?
What will really guarantee the health of your teeth and gums is good mechanical cleaning, that is, the daily use of the brush and floss.
Mouthwash is not a substitute for this basic cleaning, but it can be used as a complement to it.
With proper guidance from the dentist, rinses can help to whiten teeth and treat sensitivity.
All information and articles available on this site are for educational purposes only. The information given here should not be used without any expert advice for the diagnosis or treatment of any health related problem or disease. Always seek the advice of a qualified doctor for medical examination and treatment.