The Health Benefits of Mouthwash that will Have You Rethinking Your Oral Care Routine

There are many benefits of mouthwash. Some that may even be surprising. Oral hygiene plays an important part in everyone's life. It can decide what impression you have on people. Depending on the occasion it can be what determines the outcome of a situation, be it a date or even a job interview. While the first thing people notice is someone's smile, the next thing they notice is how their breath is. It's important to have fresh breath as people will remember others pleasantly.

The impact of having great breath is one that will leave a lasting impression on anyone you meet. Using mouthwash can impact your life in many ways that I will describe.

Mouthwash and Mouth Rinse

Mouth rinses are used before you brush and floss your teeth. This is to prevent any excess bacteria and particles in the teeth, further aiding your brushing and flossing regime. These mouth rinses aid as a way to protect teeth from harsher chemicals that toothpaste may have and can be prescribed by your dentist. They aid in keeping breath fresh and in preventing tartar and plaque build up as an additional step in oral care routines.

Mouth wash on the other hand is an antiseptic solution that aids in preventing the bacteria growth after brushing. It doesn't necessarily matter if you use it after you're done brushing and flossing or before. With both mouthwash and mouth rinse it is recommended you swish for about 30 seconds to one minute for optimum results.

Mouthwash & Rinse Benefits:

Mouthwash Can Reduce Bad Breath

One of the most well known facts about mouthwash is how it can reduce bad breath. The medical term for bad breath is halitosis. However, now there are studies that back up the claim about how mouthwash does indeed reduce bad breath. The reason bad breath occurs is because of certain bacteria that reside inside the mouth.

Mouthwashes contain the active ingredients such as chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium, which help reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. Chlorine dioxide and zinc neutralizes the bad smells that are associated with bad breath. With these ingredients combined, mouth wash has the capability of reducing bad breath someone might have.

Fluoride Mouth Rinses can Prevent Cavities, Protect Enamel and Fight Plaque.

Fluoride mouth rinses can prevent and fight cavities. The way fluoride works to protect enamel in the teeth is that it redeposits minerals into the teeth. It also helps the teeth become more resistant to bacteria and sugar as well. This helps because when eating acidic foods, some enamel can become eroded in the process because of sugar and plaque. This mouth rinse is also great for those who have a more serious risk of dental decay.

The great thing about fluoride is it's a multipurpose mouth rinse, in that it also helps prevents gum disease. It can also help people who suffer from dry mouth as well as it doesn't dry out the inside of the mouth reducing saliva production. It also serves as a way to protect teeth that have a crown or bridge present.

Mouthwash can Reduce the Chances of Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a serious gum disease, if left untreated it can cause the loss of teeth as well as weakening the bones of your body if left untreated. It is important to not only brush and floss but to use mouthwash too. Using an antibacterial mouthwash can reduce the plaque build up in the mouth as well as kill bacteria on site. Using cetylpyridinium based mouthwashes can provide antimicrobial properties to fight off gingivitis. These mouthwashes can also contain other ingredients depending on how severe gingivitis is. However, they should be used for a full 30 seconds to a minute to reap the full benefits of the mouthwash.

Each mouthwash has the ability to reduce the risk of gingivitis. Depending on the severity of the gum disease sometimes mouthwash can be prescribed. This is because prescribed mouthwashes have a higher concentration of ingredients. Using certain types of ingredient based mouthwashes can also provide other benefits along with preventing and healing periodontal diseases.

Alcohol Free Mouthwash Can Prevent Dry Mouth

Alcohol free mouthwashes are not only great for people who suffer from alcohol addiction but they're also great for people who have dry mouth symptoms. This is because alcohol is a drying agent and would further dry the mouth. Alcohol free mouthwash also doesn't leave a burning sensation in the mouth, as alcohol containing mouthwash would because of the ethanol present.

Alcohol free mouthwash is also perfect for those who have sensitive gums as it doesn't sting the gums the way alcohol based mouthwashes would. However, that is not the only benefit for alcohol free mouthwash, these benefits are further outlined in this study. The benefits highlighted are that alcohol free mouthwash has a better effect on retaining the natural hardness, color, and gloss of the tooth composite restoration.

Mouthwash Can Sooth Mouth Sores

Hydrogen peroxide based mouth washes can help sooth mouth sores and canker sores. Making it easier to have clean breath while maintaining good oral hygiene. The reason why hydrogen peroxide helps sores is because it is a mild antiseptic. The antiseptic works as a way to release oxygen that removes mucus from the inside of the mouth and cleans the area acting as an antibacterial mouthwash. An added benefit of hydrogen peroxide mouthwash can also treat acute gingivitis for a short amount of time.

Hydrogen peroxide based mouthwashes also whiten teeth in the process as well. Along with the active ingredient Chlorhexidine can remove stains on teeth that are caused by drinks. Drinks like coffee, tea and soda have tannins. The active ingredient binds to tannins helping the teeth remove the stains that are present. All that's required in order for this mouthwash to work is to swish it in the mouth for about a minute and that's it.

Baking Soda Mouthwash Benefits

Baking soda mouthwash is a sodium bicarbonate combination. When it's combined with salt at home, you can make a home made mouthwash. This solution is used to remove saliva that may cause a hostile environment in the mouth. Baking soda mouth rinse can remove excess saliva in the mouth making it easier for dentist to see the tissues inside the mouth. Baking soda mouthwashes can also reduce stains on the teeth. Using a baking soda rinse can help to ensure that your mouth is able to be cleaned thoroughly. This is because there will not be excess saliva making the mouth easier to clean when brushing and flossing.

Benefits of Salt Water Rinses

Salt water rinses are not only great for how easily accessible and cheap they are. The benefits range from antibacterial benefits to alkalizing benefits. According to the British Dental Journal, salt water increases the pH levels in the mouth. It also isn't abrasive to the mucous membranes inside the mouth proving why dentists recommend after procedures. An added benefit of using salt water rinses is that it helps relieve soreness from a sore throat.

Salt water rinses are also great for any tooth pain as it soothes the pain in the mouth while ensuring the atmosphere of the mouth remains neutral. The benefits of salt water is due to the ability it can relieve pain temporarily as well as its easy to access. With it being readily available it makes for a great pain reliever for oral sores and it helps the throat too.

Below is a video that shows the benefits of salt water rinses:

And Many More....

While people may think there are only a few types of mouthwashes like the market has out, there are many more such as calcium based mouthwashes. Calcium based mouthwashes help aid in strengthening the enamel. Then there are oil based mouthwashes which utilize essential and natural oils for a more holistic approach to mouthwashes. These oil based mouthwashes can reduce bad breath as well as have anti-gingival properties.

There are also other ingredient based mouthwashes based on oral health issues. These range from halitosis to fungal based oral maladies that these mouthwashes can assist in preventing.

Alternative Uses Of Mouthwash

Mouthwash can also be used for things other than for oral care. One remedy people have tried is using it for reducing acne because of the alcohol content in an alcohol based mouthwash. It can also kill the smell of foot odor, if soaked in a water tub mixed with mouthwash. The reason it can reduce a bad foot odor is due to the antibacterial properties it has, as bad odor is a product of too much bacteria being present. Many people may even use mouthwash on a cotton ball and dab it under their arm to reduce underarm odors as well. People have discovered many alternative uses of mouthwash simply because of the active ingredients within the mouthwash itself. We recommend speaking to your doctor before trying any of these.

Think You Will Gargle a Little More Often?

Depending on what you want to use your mouthwash for is your decision. However, there are many ways mouthwash can improve your health. Mouthwash can also aid with your confidence as you'll be assured that your breath smells great. In this article you learned about the benefits of different types of mouthwashes and rinses.

Which mouthwash do you plan on using or already use and what's your take on the health benefits? Are there any other benefits that haven't been mentioned? If so, feel free to comment below!

Aurora is the lead editor here at pearlywhytes.com. She is one of those people who actually likes going to the dentist. She loves to write about anything health related, but oral health is her most passionate topic. Her free time is spent partaking in family activities and experimenting in the kitchen.

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