What Does Mouthwash Really Do?

What Does Mouthwash Do?

Mouthwash, an antiseptic oral rinse solution, freshens bad breath, can help reduce plaque and gingivitis, as well as fight tooth decay and prevent cavities. Mouthwash can significantly improve your oral health when used as part of a complete dental hygiene routine. Regular mouthwashing with proper techniques can enhance your overall oral hygiene effectiveness. Mouthwashes containing fluoride can even help remineralize your teeth by restoring essential minerals to tooth enamel.

There's nothing quite like the feeling of rinsing with mouthwash. Gargling with a minty mouth rinse leaves your breath tingly and fresh, giving you a boost of confidence to start your day. 

Does mouth wash prevent cavities?

But, there are quite a few myths floating around about mouth wash. Our patients come to us with plenty of great questions: Do oral rinses actually prevent cavities and gum problems and gum disease? Should you use mouth wash, especially if you have sensitive teeth or a dry mouth? And, with so many plaque-busting and deep-whitening claims out there, what really is the best mouth wash to use to improve your oral health?

Well, we're glad you asked, because we're ready to air out the controversy on oral rinses. Below, we'll hash out their benefits and downfalls, recommend the best type of mouthwash for your specific oral health needs, and provide smart tips based on the latest dental science. 

Is mouthwash good for you? Mouth wash Pros and Cons

Mouthwash acts as a supplementary addition to your daily dental routine. Brushing and flossing provide the essential foundation - these methods completely remove particles and plaque from tooth surfaces and gumlines. Quality mouthwash enhances your oral care when used correctly. The antibacterial properties in mouthwash reduce harmful bacteria in your mouth. The remineralizing properties in mouthwash strengthen tooth enamel and improve overall oral health.

What are the benefits of mouthwash? 

Essential Facts About Mouthwash You Should Know

• Mouthwash contains cetylpyridinium chloride and essential oils. These active ingredients kill oral bacteria. These ingredients prevent bacteria from reproducing in your mouth.
• You should store mouthwash in cool, dark locations. Light exposure and heat reduce mouthwash effectiveness. These conditions break down antimicrobial ingredients.
• Mouthwash maintains a balanced pH level. This pH balance ensures effective bacterial control. The balanced pH preserves your mouth's natural microbiome.
• Mouthwash remains effective for 12 months after opening the bottle. This shelf life applies regardless of printed expiration dates. Active ingredients gradually lose potency over time.
• Mouthwash destroys bacteria by breaking down bacterial cell walls. It also breaks down bacterial outer membranes. This destruction prevents bacterial multiplication in your mouth. This process reduces bacterial colonies on tooth surfaces.
• Mouthwash can interact with prescription medications. These interactions may reduce medication effectiveness. These interactions may increase medication side effects. Mouthwash alters medication absorption rates through chemical interactions.
• Mouthwash ingredients eventually reach water treatment systems. These chemical ingredients affect aquatic plants and fish. The ingredients disrupt natural biological processes in aquatic ecosystems.
• Mouthwash requires 30 seconds to absorb into mouth tissues. Dental professionals recommend 30-second gargling duration. This timeframe maximizes antibacterial benefits.
• Mouthwash performs best at room temperature storage. Cold or hot temperatures reduce bacterial-fighting effectiveness. Temperature extremes alter mouthwash chemical composition.
• An oral rinse's effectiveness has been proven through many scientific studies that show it can reduce plaque by up to 25 percent when used correctly as part of a complete oral hygiene routine.

Understanding what does Listerine do and whether is Listerine good for your teeth are common questions among dental patients. The benefits of proper mouthwashing and mouth washing include:

1. Freshens bad breath: Your leftover lunch can fester in your mouth, leaving behind bacteria and less-than-pleasant odours. Therapeutic mouthwashes with antimicrobials, such as essential oils like thymol and eucalyptol, can go a long way toward eliminating those lingering scents by killing odor-causing bacteria. 
2. Mouthwash can reduce plaque and gingivitis: Mouthwash reduces plaque buildup and prevents gingivitis when you combine it with regular brushing and flossing. Mouthwash flushes away food particles that cause gum disease. Antiseptic ingredients in mouthwash kill harmful bacteria in hard-to-reach mouth areas. Therapeutic mouthwash formulas with essential oils deliver the best results for preventing plaque and gingivitis.
3. Fights cavities and tooth decay: In this case, fluoride is your friend. Mouthwashes with this mineral ingredient support remineralization and healthy teeth by strengthening tooth enamel against acid attacks. It's always smart to brush with a fluoride toothpaste, too, for comprehensive protection. 

What are the drawbacks of mouthwash? 

1. May only mask bad breath: A quick swig of mouthwash alone won't cure your coffee-breath woes. Consistent brushing and flossing are the only guarantee to great oral health by removing the source of odors. Plus, cosmetic mouth washes may only give you a temporary freshness boost without addressing underlying bacterial causes, so be sure to track down a good non alcohol based mouthwash with therapeutic properties.
2. Can be dehydrating: Suffer from dry mouth? Opt for an alcohol-free formula specifically designed for xerostomia. Otherwise, alcohol-containing mouthwash can reduce the production of saliva and worsen your condition by drying out oral tissues further.
3. May irritate canker sores: Again, too much alcohol can be painful for sensitive spots and open wounds in the mouth. Go for a good mouthwash with enzymes, cellulose or animal mucins, which will help promote moisture and healing without causing additional irritation.

Our Top Three Recommended Mouthwash & Mouth Rinse Products

With these tips in mind, what's the perfect mouthwash for you? Look for products with the Canadian Dental Association seal of approval, which validates oral health claims with scientific evidence and clinical testing. And, you can always ask our team at Lewis Estates Dental for advice if you're wondering what brand is right for your specific oral health needs. 

1. Listerine Zero: Reduces and prevents gingivitis and is good for your teeth through its alcohol-free formula with essential oils.

2. Listerine Anticavity Mouthwash: Protects against tooth decay through its fluoride-enriched formula that remineralizes weakened enamel.

3. TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse: Fights bad breath for 12+ hours with its oxygenating formula that neutralizes sulfur-producing bacteria.

Demystifying Mouth wash: Tips & Takeaways

• Can be diluted 1:1 with water if you have sensitivity or it feels too strong to reduce irritation while maintaining some therapeutic benefit.
• Beyond regular brushing and flossing, good mouthwash can round out your dental routine and deliver a slew of health benefits but is not a replacement for mechanical plaque removal.
• Should you rinse after using mouthwash? The short answer is no—we recommend steering clear of drinks and food for 30 minutes, or else you'll diminish the cleansing effects and reduce contact time with active ingredients.
• Fluoride can be toxic when swallowed in large amounts, so never consume oral rinses, and avoid giving them to children under the age of 6 who may not have developed proper spitting reflexes.

Looking for a family dentist, orthodontics or teeth cleaning and more in West Edmonton? Contact us or book online today.