A dental hygiene routine is important to maintaining a healthy long-term smile and ensuring that there are no problems with bad breath.
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and flossing are the best ways to protect teeth and gums. As for mouthwash, it is a product whose function is often misunderstood.
Therefore, the “Life Science” website, which specializes in medical affairs, monitored the importance of mouthwash, and whether it fits with the dental care routine, and whether it should be used before or after brushing the teeth.
What is the importance of mouthwash?
Mouthwash is not always necessary if the patient follows a good diet and successful brushing and flossing techniques.
Mouthwashes can have different uses depending on the ingredients. Some mouthwashes are designed to prevent gum disease, while others are designed to help maintain good oral hygiene for people who wear braces.
- Mouthwash is designed to get rid of what the brush cannot reach while brushing teeth. This is a general rule.
- Mouthwash helps remove food debris that sticks to the teeth, and turns into a layer of plaque and tartar that causes bad breath and gingivitis.
- By using mouthwash, you may reduce your risk of gum disease, and keep your teeth shiny and plaque-free.
- For people with “gingival pockets” where bacteria build up and the brush is difficult to reach, rinsing with mouthwash helps reach those areas and helps the gums to recover.
- Rinse helps improve people’s breath for a longer time.
- Mouthwash can be used when you are unable to brush your teeth after eating.
How do we use mouthwash correctly?
Every mouthwash is different, and therefore they all contain usage instructions from the manufacturer.
But in general, it is recommended to follow these steps:
- Use a cap filled with mouthwash.
- Swish it for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Do not rinse your mouth with water after using the rinse.
- Consult your dentist, so you know which mouthwash is best for you.
- It is important not to swallow the mouthwash, so it is not recommended for use by young children.
How often should mouthwash be used?
- It is recommended to use mouthwash once or twice daily.
- It is a good idea to keep a bottle of mouthwash in the car or office, so that you always have easy access to an effective way to get rid of food particles from the mouth, without the need to use a toothbrush, toothpaste and water.
- It is recommended to use mouthwash right before going to bed.
And the specialist in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Elie Fares, explained, in a previous interview to Al-Araby, that the accumulation of tartar and food on the teeth causes bleeding in the gums, and the occurrence of diseases in the mouth, which causes psychological problems for the person, and ultimately leads to a reduction in his life.
Fares stressed the need to clean the teeth after every meal, especially before bed, and to use flossing to remove all deposits between the teeth, explaining that the brush cleans about 55% of the size of the tooth, and the floss cleans 45% of it.