The Benefits of Mouthwash | Snohomish, Wa Dentist

Hopefully you have a good oral care routine at home, one that includes a mouthwash. Mouthwash is a highly beneficial add-on to your regular brushing and flossing. In fact, rinsing with mouthwash can make a big difference win your oral health.

People use mouthwash for a variety of reasons: to freshen breath, to help prevent or control tooth decay, to reduce plaque and even to prevent or reduce gingivitis, to reduce the speed that tartar forms on the teeth, or to produce a combination of these effects.

What ingredients are commonly found in mouthwash?

Basic ingredients include water, alcohol, cleansing agents, flavoring ingredients and coloring agents. Active ingredients vary depending on the type of mouthrinse, but they can be placed into four general groups:

    • Antimicrobial agents act directly on oral bacteria to help reduce plaque, decrease the severity of gingivitis and control bad breath.
    • Fluoride helps reduce tiny lesions (tooth decay) on tooth enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay.
    • Astringent salts can serve as temporary deodorizers that mask bad breath.
  • Odor neutralizers act by chemically inactivating odor causing compounds(Source: ada.org).

Mouthwash can also keep gum disease at bay. Gum disease mainly develops when we’ve slackened on our oral care. When gum disease is in the early stage, the solution is simply upgrading your routine to wash away grime. Brushing after meals, flossing and swishing with antiseptic mouthwash twice daily can stop gingivitis in its tracks.

Mouthwashes should not be used as a substitute for brushing and flossing, and only used in conjunction with good hygiene habits. A complete plan for daily dental hygiene is centered around twice-daily tooth brushing and flossing, but you may want to consider oral rinses.

Call Dr. Ted Haines DDS for more information on oral health or to make an appointment today at 360-568-8577 or visit the website at tedhainesdds.com.

Dr. Haines of Snohomish, WA also proudly accepts patients from Monroe, Lake Stevens, Everett, Mill Creek, Woodinville, and surrounding areas.