Is mouthwash necessary? Let’s talk about it!

With all those steps in the oral hygiene routine, is mouthwash necessary? You might be using some type of mouthwash already, or you might be considering adding it to your oral health routine. In this article, we will answer all the necessary questions and some different situations in that mouthwash could be helpful, such as gum problems and even during pregnancy.

So, let’s talk about it and see if it is really worth it to use mouthwash in your daily routine or not.

Why is it important to use mouthwash?

To tell you the truth, for most people, it is not that necessary to swish around. So, is mouthwash really necessary? It depends on your dental hygiene routine and your oral issues. Based on these two, your dentist would recommend using a mouthwash or not. In most people, it is not vital to use mouthwash if they are already brushing and flossing daily.

However, as a general thing, we can not ignore the benefits of mouthwashes either. Benefits such as fighting bad breath and gingivitis to name a few. If you are brushing and flossing as part of your daily mouth care routine, you pretty much do not need mouthwash. But if you are dealing with bleeding gums or gingivitis, it is highly beneficial for your oral health. So, why are we using different kinds of mouthwash? We promise you it is not a scam so dentists can make more money. Now we are going to go through some of the cases in that mouthwash could be helpful for your oral health.

Let’s dive into the details to see why it is important to use mouthwash, and what happens if you don’t use mouthwash! 

It is necessary because it fights gingivitis

Gum disease can get really nasty if you do not take care of it. Using mouthwash in preventing the development of gingivitis can be a game changer. Because it reduces the bad bacteria in your mouth that could eventually cause gingivitis.

It is necessary because it removes food debris

You might think the best time to brush your teeth is right after eating, but it is actually not. So, what can you do to remove all those food particles? Swish around! Simply swish some mouthwash in your mouth and get rid of all the food debris left in your mouth from lunch. This comes really handy especially when you are in the office and do not have access to a toothbrush. Also rinsing your mouth will help get the food particles out of those hard-to-reach places whether you are going to brush your teeth or not.

It is necessary because it reduces sensitivity

If you have sensitive teeth this could be your answer. Some active ingredients in mouthwashes could help ease your teeth’ sensitivity. Your mouthwash could do this by numbing those nerve endings in your teeth. Another way is by covering your teeth enforcing the tooth enamel and making your teeth strong.

It is necessary because it fights bad breath

Our nemesis! Bad breath. Sometimes all you need is a good old swish in your mouth to keep the bad breath at bay or to get rid of it altogether. Of course, there could be some underlying issues that cause bad breath, but when it is not a serious one, mouthwash can easily fix it and give you a fresh breath.

It is necessary because it helps heal and prevent mouth sores

Mouth sores are never pleasant. So in this case, how is mouthwash good for you? Most mouthwashes are antibacterial mouthwashes. The antibacterial rinse reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth. This would effectively help heal and prevent mouth sores or canker sores in your oral environment.

It is necessary because it helps pregnant women

Pregnant women could be more prone to dental issues during their pregnancy. One of these issues is called pregnancy gingivitis. If you are pregnant adding mouthwash to your dental care routine would work as an extra layer of protection and help with your dental health until you give birth.

Remember that building a good routine to care for your teeth and mouth takes time, patience, and consistency. So if you think you have not seen any changes after just using mouth rinse a few times don’t give up. Continue and consult with your dentist for solutions.

It is necessary because it contains fluoride

Well, fluoride is necessary for fighting cavities, gum diseases, and sensitivity, but you do not need to be seeking it out. Nowadays, most toothpaste and mouthwashes have fluoride in them.

Fluoride mouthwash can help remineralize the teeth and enhance enamel strength, resulting in better oral health. By including fluoride mouthwash in your dental care routine, you can provide an additional layer of protection.

Do dentists recommend mouthwash?

Yes, many dentists do recommend the use of mouth rinse as part of an overall oral hygiene routine. Mouthwash can provide additional benefits beyond just brushing and flossing, such as freshening breath, killing harmful bacteria in the mouth, and reducing inflammation. Dentists may recommend specific types of mouthwash, such as those containing fluoride, for their patients based on their individual oral health needs.

It’s important to follow your dentist’s recommendations and rinse your mouth as directed. Mouthwash can be good for you when used correctly as part of a comprehensive oral hygiene routine. It can provide additional benefits, however, it can also be bad for you if used excessively or inappropriately. Overuse of mouthwash can lead to problems such as decreased mineralization of the teeth, and irritation or dryness of the mouth.

If you have any questions about whether it is good or bad for you, it is recommended that you consult with your dentist.

What happens if you don’t use mouthwash?

Not using mouthwash as part of your oral hygiene routine will not have serious consequences for most people. It’s important to keep in mind that not using mouth rinse does not necessarily mean you will develop oral health problems, but it may reduce the level of protection you have against oral issues. Here are the potential consequences of not using it:

• Lack of fresher breath: Mouthwashes can help to eliminate bad breath and leave your mouth feeling fresh and clean.

• Reduced protection against harmful bacteria: Fluoride mouthwash can kill harmful bacteria in the mouth that can lead to tooth decay, and gum diseases (1)

• Reduced protection against cavities: If your mouthwash contains fluoride, it can help to strengthen your tooth enamel and reduce your risk of developing cavities.

• Lack of inflammation reduction: Mouthwashes can help to reduce inflammation in the gums, which is a common symptom of gum disease.

• Reduced protection against oral health problems: By not using mouthwash, you may miss out on the additional benefits it provides for oral health.

All your questions about mouthwash’s necessity are answered

Now you might be using mouthwash but still, have some questions about it. That is why we have put together some of the more frequently asked questions about mouthwash, such as do children need mouthwash, do you need to use it daily, and so on.

It would be a good idea to go through them if you are still not sure about “is mouthwash necessary?” or just want to know more about it.

Is mouthwash necessary for children?

We can say yes and no. For children under 6 years using mouthwash not only is not necessary but also dangerous. This is because most mouthwashes contain fluoride and some might be alcohol-containing mouthwashes and there is a higher chance for kids under the age of 6 to swallow the mouthwash.

The other problem is fluoride in the mouthwash can have a negative effect on the adult teeth that are developing in children under 6 years. If you have a child older than 6 years talk with their dentist first. Your child’s dentist might recommend mouthwash for children if needed.

Is it necessary to use it daily?

No, it is not necessary, but most dentists say it is a good idea to add a type of mouthwash to your daily brushing and flossing routine if you want to achieve healthier teeth and gums.

Is it necessary to use it if you brush and floss?

Not really! If you follow a regular brushing routine and daily flossing then you have nothing to worry about. No need to buy that bottle of mouthwash!

So in a nutshell mouthwash is not a scam for companies and dentists to get more money from you. In some cases, such as fighting gum disease, bad breath can be crucial. Do what you will with this information in the article but do not let laziness make you substitute any part of your dental healthcare routine with just swishing mouthwash.

If you feel there is more you need to know or if you are just looking for a consultation contact us. Our medical consultants at Dentfix will help you with a bright smile on their faces!