We discuss if mouthwash should form part of your daily routine

At this point we should all know what we need to do each day to maintain optimal oral health. Brush twice a day for two minutes and floss, floss, floss. But when it comes to mouthwash, there are still question marks. “Do I need to use it?”

At your local supermarket, right next to the toothpaste and toothbrushes, you’ll find option after option for the many types of mouthwash. All offering something different – “treat bad breath”, “Six uses in one”, “Whiten your teeth in ONE WEEK”, and the list goes on…. and on.

We’re not saying that mouthwash definitely doesn’t have a place in your medicine cabinet but we want you to be informed before buying. That means clarifying some mouthwash claims:

It treats bad breath or gingivitis…

Incorrect. Sure, it can mask bad breath but that’s about where it ends. The best course of action for bad breath is an appointment with your dentist. Figuring out the cause issue for bad breath is recommended rather than simply gargling something minty. Without fixing the core issue, you might find yourself gargling more and more each day.

Mouthwash alone will give me the same effect as brushing…

Nope. Aside from that minty fresh feeling, nothing will have a better effect on your teeth than brushing and flossing. It can certainly be a quick fix right after lunch when you’re running for that next meeting.

It will whiten my teeth…

Whitening effects from mouthwash are minor and not long lasting. Always check the ingredients and talk them over with your dentist to ensure long term use isn’t damaging to your teeth.

Ultimately, the choice to buy mouthwash and work into your daily oral hygiene routine is completely up to you. Mouthwash is a wonderful solution to feeling fresh and overall, it won’t do anything bad but here are a few reminders:

It should not replace brushing your teeth.
It should not replace flossing.
It shouldn’t be used to achieve drastic whitening effects (we can help with that though, click here for options available).
It should not be used as a bad breath treatment – that what check-ups are for.

We know all the options out there can be confusing. Paramount Dental Sydney is happy to help you out though. Contact us to discuss or make an appointment.