When you go to the dentist you will often hear them make recommendations on how often you brush and floss your teeth or your technique when brushing and flossing your teeth. However, one question many dental patients have is whether or not it is necessary to use mouthwash. The short answer to the question “Should you use mouthwash” is yes. However, it is important to understand that mouthwash should never be a replacement for brushing and flossing. It is part of a dental hygiene plan and is only effective if you are also brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist twice a year.
Cavities are one of the most common dental issues. As the name suggests, a cavity is a divet or a hole in your tooth that is caused by bacteria. Basically, everything we put in our mouths has bacteria in it. When that bacteria collects around our teeth it begins a process called demineralization. This process involves the enamel of our teeth breaking down as the bacteria grows. When the enamel is removed the bacteria starts to damage a tooth’s dentin and eventually tooth pulp. If bacteria reaches the inside of a tooth it can lead to a tooth infection that can cause toothaches and eventually tooth loss. The best way to prevent cavities is to remove bacteria as well as food debris that sticks to your teeth. Otherwise, that bacteria will continue to cause erosion around your teeth.
Brushing and flossing both work by physically removing bacteria and food particles from the surfaces of the teeth and the gums. Floss removes bacteria that is hiding between teeth while brushing helps remove bacteria and food from around the teeth and especially around the gumline. Rinsing your mouth out with water or using mouthwash can help gather up the bacteria and food particles that were dislodged by flossing and brushing, so that you can spit them out. Mouthwash also contains ingredients that provide other benefits like fluoride which can help strengthen enamel and ingredients that can help with stained teeth or bad breath. Again, mouthwash is by no means a replacement for brushing and flossing and is quite ineffective if it is done entirely on its own without other oral care. But when combined with healthy oral care habits it can provide some important dental health solutions.
If you live in the Chicago area and need family dental care, give our team a call, we would be happy to schedule you or your family members at one of our five offices in the Chicago area.
