When it comes to your oral hygiene, there’s nothing that packs a refreshing punch quite like a minty swig of mouthwash!
But can something that swishes around in your mouth for just 30 seconds actually positively influence oral hygiene, or is it just an elaborate marketing scheme?
At TLC Dental, we care about your oral hygiene and we want your teeth to be healthy, happy and dazzling for life. That’s why, in this blog, we’re breaking down the facts and sharing just how effective a vigorous swish of mouthwash can be in your everyday oral health routine.
Mouthwash can access all areas
While there’s no stronger weapon in your oral hygiene arsenal than your toothbrush, toothpaste and floss, mouthwash can swish in and around those areas your brush and floss can’t reach, bidding farewell to any remaining debris. By following up your daily brushing and flossing with mouthwash, you’ll be able to access your gum lines and back corners of your mouth in one swig!
Bye-bye bad breath!
Let’s face it – there’s nothing quite as horrifying as a nasty case of bad breath. For those of us who can’t pass up on a bowl of cheesy, garlicky pasta for lunch, a quick rinse of mouthwash can wave any pungent smells goodbye. Most mouthwashes are packed full of antimicrobials that can effectively reduce bad breath, keeping your mouth feeling and smelling fresh.
With so many aromatic flavours to choose from, no matter if you want your mouth to smell like blackcurrant, elderflower or the classic choice of fresh mint, you’re bound to find the flavour for you on the supermarket shelves.
But don’t forget – if bad breath is an ongoing issue for you, don’t let the mouthwash keep on masking the problem! If you find bad breath keeps on sneaking up on you no matter how well you brush and floss your teeth, you may have an underlying oral condition. Pop in for a check-up and a clean at TLC Dental and we’ll investigate the source of any lingering odours.
Fights cavities, plaque and other unwanted nasties
Remember those antimicrobials we spoke about earlier? Well, those have also been shown to reduce the growth of plaque and the development of gingivitis when coupled with a strong brushing and flossing routine.
Some mouthwashes even contain fluoride which can assist in the fight against tooth decay by helping your enamel stay strong. Just make sure to always read the label – not all mouthwashes carry fluoride.
Soothe those mouth ulcers!
Got any mouth ulcers causing you grief? Swish your mouth with an oxygenating mouthwash and you’ll help soothe any minor sores in your mouth. By effectively detoxing the irritated area, mouthwash can diminish any ulcer-causing bacteria, helping accelerate the healing process and keeping pain to a minimum. The key here is to avoid any mouthwashes with a high alcohol content – this will just aggravate the ulcer further.
While there’s no denying the benefits of a 30-60-second swig, swish and spit of mouthwash, it should never replace any part of your daily flossing and brushing routine. TLC Dental recommends using mouthwash to complement the hard work of your toothbrush, toothpaste and floss, to help freshen your breath and keep plaque at bay. While mouthwash should follow your brushing and flossing routine, we recommend waiting a short while if you’re brushing with a fluoride toothpaste – you don’t want to wash that fluoride away!
At TLC Dental, we’re passionate about providing everyday dentistry solutions to keep your teeth healthy for life. If you need any help making your daily oral hygiene routine as effective as possible, come in for a check-up – our warm and friendly team will be happy to help chat through the best options for your mouth’s individual needs.
Whether you live in Brentwood, TLC Dental is conveniently located in five suburbs south of the river, including:
Is it time for your next check-up? Give us a call and book an appointment today!
