Adding Mouthwash to Your Oral Care Routine

By Island Dental

You probably know someone who incorporates mouthwash into their daily routine. You probably know that using mouthwash can benefit your smile–particularly your breath– but did you know that there are a few other perks you could enjoy by using mouthwash regularly?

Naturally, some mouthwashes can be extremely useful for fighting off tooth decay. Similarly, some mouthwashes can prevent gum disease. Others contain fluoride–which strengthens teeth–but some don’t. In reality, there are many mouthwashes available to meet a number of needs. However, you should still be careful with the mouthwash you choose. Many mouthwashes contain alcohol. While this will help fight bacteria, it may lead to dry mouth and is usually bad for children.

To be fair, some mouthwashes are only meant to cover bad breath, but if you are using mouthwash consistently just to improve your breath, please know that you could actually be covering a deeper, underlying problem. If you’re experiencing this problem, we recommend visiting our dentist, Dr. Naman B. Patel, to examine your teeth. Still, even mouthwashes designed to enhance your smile can be useful for preventing tooth decay because it will carry away the plaque and bacteria that can lead to gum disease.

Finally, please remember that using mouthwash should not act as a substitute for brushing and flossing. If you would like to learn more about the best type of mouthwash for you, please don’t hesitate to contact Island Dental at 480-725-3031. We look forward to hearing from you.

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