Along with brushing your teeth twice in a day and flossing, mouthwash has become an important part of good oral habits. Rinsing your mouth after every meal or brushing twice a day can protect your teeth and gums against bacteria, responsible for cavity, plaque, gingivitis, and tooth decay. Moreover, mouthwash works against bad breath, and makes you worry free, while communicating with people around you.
If you aren’t aware of the benefits of mouthwash. Read on!!! It is a liquid used for rinsing the mouth, for a better oral health. It contains substances that offers stronger protection to gums and teeth. Its use is multifarious and thus used teeth brightening, eradicating bad breath, and preventing oral diseases, which alone a simple mouth rinse with water cannot help. It also helps in removing debris or food stuck in between the teeth, from the corners or the rears of the teeth, which can’t be simply removed by flossing.
Before including a mouthwash into your daily schedule, you must be aware of the different types of liquids that exist, and their ingredients, for selecting the best one.
Mouthwash Ingredients:
The ingredients of a mouthwash vary as per its type, hence, some common elements can be found as below.
Water: It is a highly essential element used for rinsing your mouth, with some added preservatives for a better impact.
Flavoring & color: flavoring ingredients add unique taste and fragrance to the mouthwash. Mint is common and necessary in all flavors. Color is added to change the natural tinge of the liquid.
Fluoride: Fluoride is the main element which provides protection against bacteria. It is generously used in all general dental care products like toothpaste, mouthwash, teeth whitening gel, and sugar free gums. The percentage of fluoride may vary from one brand to another, and you should check it, prior making a purchase. If your dentist has advised to take fluoride externally, you should add a fluoride based mouthwash for your daily oral care needs.. However, it is important to note that a high level consumption of of fluoride can cause-side effects.
Calcium: Needs no further explanation, it helps to make teeth and jawbone stronger.
Baking Soda: Baking soda helps to brighten the teeth. Mixing it with toothpaste is a popular concept for teeth whitening at homes.
Essential Oil: Many dental studies have proved that essential oils help to maintain a good oral hygiene and fights against bacteria. Mouthwash with an essential oil seems to be more powerful than without.
Antiseptics: People suffering from gum diseases, bad breath, and oral diseases, find antiseptics relieving. To enhance the antibacterial property of the product, extra ingredients is added.
How to Properly Use a Mouth Wash?
After brushing, measure a small amount of mouthwash, with the help of the bottle’s cap provided. Drink it, don’t swallow it, and swivel it in your mouth for a few seconds before you spit it out. Ensure that you keep the mouth wash, away from your children’s reach. If they use it, it should be done under your supervision, so that they don’t swallow the liquid. A mouth wash liquid is immensely helpful for cleaning every corner of the mouth, where it is hard to clean with a toothbrush.
Types of Mouthwash:
Antiseptic Mouthwash: As described before, an antiseptic mouth wash is good for people with an extra sensitive condition like a r gum disease, a tooth decay or other kinds of oral infections.. They can use it daily, after brushing their teeth. An antiseptic mouthwash contains antiseptic agents like chlorhexidine and gluconate, which are also responsible for discoloration. So, it is recommended to take advice from your dentist on using it frequently.
Cosmetic Mouthwash: Teeth whitening agents are infused in this mouthwash in a higher degree. Flavours are added to improve its ability.
Fluoride Mouthwash: A fluoride-based mouthwash contains a good amount of fluoride to protect against tooth decay or diseases caused by bacterial acid. However, an excessive amount of fluoride, isn’t good. Thus, you should consult your dentist for its precise use, per your oral condition, and follow directions as listed on the bottle..
Natural or Herbal Mouthwash: Alcohol and fluoride free, herbal ingredients are used in this type of mouthwash. Good for people who are sensitive to chemical mouthwash.
Precautions and Elementary Care:
A normal use of mouthwash is good for oral health, but its excessive use can cause side-effects. Listed below are some of health troubles you may face, if mouthwash is not handled with care.
- Based on a recent research, the use of a mouthwash can increase the risk of oral cancer. Usually children swallow toothpaste or mouthwash. It can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. As explained before, drinking fluoride based liquid can cause Fluorosis.
- Sometimes, a burning sensation is felt in the mouth after rinsing. If you encounter such an experience, immediately change your mouthwash or consult your dentist for its evaluation.
- Certain mouthwashes contain alcohol as an ingredient. Using it, long-term, can easily stain your teeth, just like alcohol consumption, itself.
- People suffering from digestive disorders, may feel irritation in their mouths, while using a mouthwash. In this case, it is always good to use a herbal mouthwash instead of an acidic based.
