Basics of Mouth Rinsing

Major Dr Pravin
27.06.17 03:33 PM Comment(s)

You've got lots of choices if you're looking for a way to freshen your breath. But if you want to do something healthy for your teeth and gums too, make mouth rinsing part of your daily routine.

"Today mouthwashes are not just perfumes for the breath," says Mark Wolff, DDS, PhD, chair of cariology and comprehensive care at New York University College of Dentistry. "They can also reduce gingivitis [gum disease], tooth decay, tartar and plaque, and they can whiten."

Do I Need to Rinse?

Mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and flossing. But if you have trouble doing those correctly, rinsing can help protect you from cavities or gum disease. Fluoride rinses help prevent tooth decay.

"Mouthwashes, when added to a good home care regimen of brushing and flossing, can target a condition that you are facing," Wolff says. "You don't swish for 2 minutes with a whitening mouthwash and suddenly have white teeth. But if you brush well and keep the plaque off of them and use that mouthwash as part of the package, you do get whiter teeth."

A mouth rinse won't cure serious problems, though. If you have regular bleeding of your gums or consistently bad breath, for example, see your dentist. He might prescribe a mouthwash that's stronger than the kind you buy over the counter.

Mouthwash Ingredients

Read the labels carefully on over-the-counter types. Ingredients -- and the benefits they provide -- vary by brand.

They usually include one or more of these:

Fluoride. It helps reduce tooth decay and prevent cavities.

Antimicrobials. They kill the bacteria that cause bad breath, plaque, and gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums at the early stages of gum disease.

Astringent salt. It's a type of deodorizer that can temporarily cover up bad breath.

Odor neutralizers. They can attack the cause of bad breath.

Whiteners, such as peroxide. They can help against stains on your teeth.

source: WebMD