Some of us use mouthwash on a daily basis. Others never use it at all. There are a myriad of reasons to use a mouthwash and just as many types of mouthwashes to use.
A mouthwash, or mouth rinse, is a great addition to your oral hygiene regimen but definitely not a replacement for brushing or flossing.
Most of us use mouthwash for its cosmetic benefits of improved breath and improving the taste of our mouths. This is the most common use of mouthwash but also the reason that benefits us the least. However, it does act as a gateway into the more therapeutic uses.
Many mouthwashes are anti-septic in that they kill the germs that cause plaque, decay and gum disease. Traditionally, these main agent in accomplishing this has been alcohol. Most of us are very familiar with the sting of some of these formulations letting us know that its working. Fortunately, there are a number of new alcohol free versions that don't hurt. Trust me, they still work.
Another class of mouthwash is for anti-cavity properties. The active ingredient in this case with fluoride. We often encourage kids, whether cavity prone or not, to rinse with ACT mouthwash to help strengthen enamel and help keep the cavities away. The key here is making sure your child is old enough to not swallow. Fluoride is great topically in our mouth but we don't need to ingest the amounts in the mouthwash. Many adult mouthrisnes now contain fluoride as well. These mouthwashes are most effective if you don't eat, drink, rinse or smoke for 30 minutes after to keep the fluoride from becoming diluted. Please don't smoke regardless.
On the other end of the spectrum, once we get older we tend to get more dry mouth. There are mouthwashes such as Biotene specifically formulated to keep your mouth lubricated. Without great saliva flow, we lose our natural defenses to cleanse our teeth and bacteria and decay can run rampant.
What do I use? Listerine Zero is a alcohol free mouth rinse that I love the flavor of and keeps my mouth feeling clean. Crest Pro Health is another great rinse that many love. Like Listerine Zero it is alcohol free and does contain a fluoride containing version. I personally don't feel as fresh after using it as the Listerine version, but many prefer the flavor. Even though I don't personally care for it, I have no hesitation recommending it.
Most important to remember is that these rinses are great additions to brushing and flossing and not replacements. With Valentines Day right around the corner, the freshness of breath doesn't hurt.
No comments:
Post a Comment