Your dentist reminds you at each appointment how important it is to brush and floss your teeth daily, but what about mouthwash? Your dentist does not mention it, but a walk down the dental aisle at your local drug store bombards you with a variety of mouthwash options – making you question if mouthwash is necessary? The truth is both yes and no.
For those who brush their teeth at least twice a day and who floss every single day, mouthwash is not a necessary component of your oral health care routine. Nothing beats the work that floss and a tooth brush can do for your mouth. A toothbrush is designed to loosen the bacteria-laden plaque from the surfaces of the teeth, and floss is the only tool designed to clean the tight spaces between the teeth. If this plaque is removed on a daily basis, then adding mouthwash to your routine is not necessary.
However, there are many people who do not floss on a daily basis and who occasionally skip out on brushing their teeth. If this is you, then mouthwash may be a necessary component to keep your mouth healthy. Mouthwash that has the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval is guaranteed to help fight against cavities and prevent gum disease. Because plaque builds up on the teeth on a daily basis and is laden with bacteria, it can do a great deal of damage to the teeth very quickly. By rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash you will kill the bacteria inside your mouth. Mouthwash will not remove the plaque from your mouth, but it will make it less damaging to the teeth if the bacteria are dead.
Mouthwash is never to be a replacement for tooth brushing or flossing, but it can be a beneficial component to those who tend to slack in the care of their mouth. If you would like more information about mouthwash and if it can benefit your oral health, contact Gainesville Dental Group today. We will help you determine if mouthwash is a necessary component or if your oral health care routine is on par.
Posted on behalf of Gainesville Dental Group
