Do you brush your teeth as soon as you wake up or at night before bed? Do you use salt water, baking soda, etc that whitens your teeth? These are some of the first things people ask when it comes to their oral hygiene routine. Keeping your teeth clean is as important as keeping your body clean; by taking care of them daily, you’ll prevent gingivitis and other gum diseases. If not cleaned properly, bacteria can find their way into crevices between your teeth which it can cause irritation and lead to more serious problems like cavities and eventually tooth decay. Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do to keep your teeth clean at home.
The best is to have a good oral care routine that involves power brushing twice a day and water flossing post-eating so the food debris can be eliminated as soon as you’re done eating.
Besides, mouthwash can also be used to rinse the mouth. Mouthwashes come in a range of flavors and different types are made to treat certain oral health issues. Although it cannot be used as a substitute for brushing your teeth, it can be used once a day post-brushing. There are many types of mouthwash available, but they can be categorized by the type of bacteria they kill (or inhibit) in your mouth. Inhibitors are usually not recommended for daily use because they have limited effectiveness against germs that cause bad breath.
How Do Mouthwashes Work?
Mouthwashes contain chemicals that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria in your mouth. Some mouthwash brands also come with fluoride to help prevent tooth decay. The amount of fluoride in mouthwash varies; some contain very little fluoride while others have up to 4% of the recommended amount. When you swish a mouthwash in your mouth, you’re getting rid of bacteria and excess bacteria-fighting chemicals that are in your mouth. The act of rinsing with mouthwash may remove the plaque that causes bad breath, but it doesn’t get rid of the bacteria that cause it.
Importance of a Mouthwash
Bad breath is embarrassing, whether it’s caused by a tooth issue or just the smell of your breath. There are a few reasons why you need to use mouthwash to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Incorrect brushing may remove only the surface layer of plaque and bacteria. This is what causes bad breath, and brushing is not sufficient, given the modern lifestyle. It is recommended to follow it up with water flossing. You may get rid of the bad breath caused by bacteria in your mouth.
Which Mouthwash Is Best For You?
There are many mouthwash brands on the market and each one works differently. Some can kill bacteria, some inhibit the growth of bacteria, and others contain both. There are popular brands that contain a combination of both bacteria and fluoride, but there are also mouthwashes that don’t contain any additives at all. Depending on your oral health, you may want to pick a mouthwash with a higher or lower level of bacteria that it kills. For example, if you have no signs of gum disease, you can use a mouthwash that kills only harmful bacteria. If you have cavities or decay, you’ll want to use a mouthwash that inhibits the growth of bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria-killing and bacteria-inhibiting levels of these products are regulated by the FDA, so you can be sure you’re using an effective mouthwash.
Conclusion
A mouthwash can be a great way to clean your teeth at home, but it’s important to pick the right one for you. Some mouthwashes kill germs while others inhibit the growth of bacteria. If you have cavities or decay, you’ll want to use a mouthwash that inhibits the growth of bacteria. There are many mouthwash brands available, and each one works differently. You can also use different combinations of mouthwashes to treat specific oral health issues along with power brushing and water flossing which may help keep most dental issues at bay.