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To use mouthwash or not use mouthwash? Is this the question that’s bothering you?

Don’t worry! We are here with the answers.

According to the statistics published by the Statista Research Department, more than 50% (~199 million) of the US population used mouthwash in 2020. If more than half the population prefer using mouthwash, it must be because simply brushing your teeth might not be enough. Let's see why not.

A Perfect Combination

The American Dental Association (ADA) says that using a mouthwash or mouth rinse in addition to brushing your teeth helps clean the areas that are usually not accessible by a toothbrush. Mouthwash contains antiseptic ingredients like menthol, alcohol, and eucalyptol that help kill bacteria in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth.

Even though mouthwash cannot replace brushing or flossing, it does offer additional benefits like protection from cavities and gum diseases, relief from dry mouth, etc.

If the aforementioned details haven’t convinced you yet, let's look at some more benefits of using mouthwash that might change your mind:

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

There are two types of mouthwash available: cosmetic and therapeutic. Cosmetic mouthwash can help in temporarily getting rid of bad breath. On the other hand, therapeutic mouthwash can get rid of gingivitis and tooth decay as well.

• Mouthwash has active ingredients like Chlorhexidine that help in controlling plaque formation.
• Peroxide, another active ingredient in most mouthwashes, helps with teeth whitening.
• A few periodontal issues that mouthwashes can tackle include alveolar osteitis (AO), viral or bacterial infections, etc.
• Some mouthwashes contain local anesthetics like lidocaine and can be used for pain relief.
• Helps tackle xerostomia or dry mouth.

How to Use Mouthwash

It is important to know how to use mouthwash, as wrong methods of usage could lead to complications. The most important point to bear in mind is to always follow the instructions provided on the package. They might be different for different brands. The most common procedure is:

• Brush your teeth thoroughly
• Wait for some time before using mouthwash
• Use the specified amount of mouthwash and rinse your mouth. DO NOT SWALLOW!
• Spit it out and rinse your mouth.

So, have you added mouthwash to your shopping list yet? If not, what’re you waiting for?

If you feel you might require a dentist-recommended mouthwash or would like to assess your oral health, we are here for you. Book an appointment at Rivermark Dental, 3931 Rivermark Plaza, Santa Clara 95054 on (408) 988-7788.