We’ve heard it since we were kids… Brush and floss your teeth every day! As naggy as it was to listen to our parents drill that into our brains. We can be sure to thank them now for teaching us the basics of proper oral care.
Yet, mouthwash never seemed to be as essential in the routine. So the question is: Is it actually important?
In a nutshell, It’s a yes and a no answer. Yes, it definitely has health benefits. And yes, fresh-clean breath improves confidence. But is it actually important to add mouthwash to your oral care routine? Let's find out shall we?
What Are the Benefits of Mouthwash?
Adding mouthwash to your oral care routine ensures extra protection for your teeth and mouth. Adding mouthwash to your oral care routine can kill odour-causing bacteria, strengthen your teeth, and prevent gum disease. Other benefits include:
1. Fresh Breath
Mouthwash is amazing for keeping your breath fresh as it kills bacteria that cause odour in your mouth. Minty mouthwashes also leave a fresh, clean feeling that we all appreciate.
2. Prevents Plaque Build Up
Mouthwash tackles and prevents plaque because it eliminates leftover bacteria and food particles that brushing may not have cleared out. Having mouthwash in your oral care routine is important to prevent tartar which is a result of build-up from plaque.
3. Prevents Cavities
The bacteria-killing properties of mouthwash can help prevent tooth decay that causes cavities. Cavities are the result of tooth decay that causes holes in your teeth. Cavities can be painful and are damaging to your oral health. Anything to prevent cavities is a must!
4. Rinses Away Food Particles
Mouthwash is a great tool for washing away leftover food particles and the odour that comes with them.
5. Can Help Relieve Canker Sores
Regular use of mouthwash may help soothe and prevent canker sores. Mouthwash effectively cleans out your mouth by washing out excess bacteria with every rinse.
When is the best time to use mouthwash?
Although you can use mouthwash whenever you need to freshen your breath, the best time to use mouthwash is right after you eat. The food and drinks you consume make your mouth more acidic. Brushing immediately after you eat means you are brushing the acid into your teeth, which ultimately causes tooth erosion.
Try not to use mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth or it'll wash away the fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth. Choose a different time to use mouthwash, such as after lunch or after snacking!
Swish, rinse and repeat!
Using mouthwash as part of your routine is an efficient and effective tool to prevent tooth decay. As effective and useful as it is, that doesn’t mean it’s a substitute for brushing or flossing!
It’s not always easy to find your perfect mouthwash. There are many products that contain ingredients that are harsh on your health and the environment. We believe the best thing is to use a mouthwash that is gentle on your mouth, without harsh ingredients like alcohol and artificial colouring.
At Brushd. our mouthwash tablets are made with non-toxic ingredients so you can feel satisfied with your oral care routine and sustainable contributions with our eco-friendly packaging. Plus we’ve got four awesome flavours to choose from :)
Overall, mouthwash is important to add to your routine and the best times to use it are after meals and snacks when your mouth is too acidic to brush your teeth. Luckily you can carry around our mouthwash anywhere you go so you can always have fresh, clean breath after even most garlic heavy meals. Your coworkers and significant others will thank you for it ;)
Sources: https://www.kyrenefamilydentistry.com/blog/benefits-disadvantages-mouthwash/
https://paulcaputodds.com/does-mouthwash-after-brushing-wash-away-fluoride/
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/how-to-keep-your-teeth-clean/
