Used in moderation, it can help improve oral health without causing any harm. It is generally not recommended by dentists to use mouthwash every day or even at all for the matter. Most dentists will recommend that you brush your teeth and floss on a daily basis but not many will tell you that you need to use mouthwash.
Mouthwash can be used every day if instructed by your dentist. However, make sure to also follow the instructions on your specific product, including how often to use it and how much to use.
Using mouthwash several times a day for a long period of time may cause more harm than good, especially if you're using an alcohol-based brand. Alcohol can irritate the soft tissues of the mouth and may also cause dry mouth.
However, most dentists highly recommend adding mouthwash to your morning and evening routine. Additionally, people with certain medical conditions such as dry socket, tooth sensitivity, and xerostomia (aka dry mouth) may very well find mouthwash essential.
It is commonly used for the diagnosis or treatment of Germ killing, Protection of germs, plague, gum disease, inflammation of gums. It has some side effects such as Site burns, lip swelling, burning, gingival pain.
Avoid Scope, Listerine and the other commercial mouthwashes. They're acidic, contain potentially cancer-causing chemicals, and are just plain bad for you. Simpler, gentler, homemade rinses and those from CariFree, however, can soothe your mouth and balance your pH, among other benefits.
Listerine Warnings
Mouthwash may contain alcohol and can cause drunkenness or medical problems if you swallow it in large quantities. Using mouthwash may cause a slight stinging if you have any type of mouth sore, canker sore, or oral infection. Do not swallow mouthwash. It is only for rinsing your mouth.
Most dentists do recommend adding a fluoride mouthwash in the morning and at night. Using mouthwash serves as a preventative measure and gives your teeth an extra rinse to catch anything that your toothbrush left behind.
It is not recommended to rinse your mouth with water after you have just used mouthwash. This is because many mouthwashes contain ingredients such as fluoride that need time to start working. If you rinse your mouth out straight after, the fluoride will also be washed away during the rinsing.
Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can help prevent tooth decay, but don't use mouthwash (even a fluoride one) straight after brushing your teeth or it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth. Choose a different time to use mouthwash, such as after lunch.
Alcohol-based mouthwashes (read: the vast majority of them) have a habit of drying out the tissue in your mouth. As alcohol evaporates, it takes saliva and other moisture with it, worsening cases of dry mouth. Not to mention, mouthwash stings, meaning it can aggravate ulcers and sores.
Listerine Total Care: Best all-round mouthwash
Listerine dominates the mouthwash market, and Total Care is its flagship product. Boldly, it claims to kill up to 97% of germs, while reducing plaque by up to 56% more than brushing alone. If that's not enough, it also takes care of tartar, bad breath and gum disease.
Which mouthwash is safer for your teeth? Alcohol-free mouthwash is considered to be safer for your teeth because you do not have to worry about your enamel being weakened by the alcohol in your mouthwash or your gums burning while you rinse.
Additionally, a special antibacterial mouth rinse called Chlorhexidine (Chlorhexidine gluconate) is known to cause slight stain or discoloration of the teeth even though it is very effective at preventing bad bacteria from sticking to the teeth.
This sticky, disgusting layer of film is called oral thrush, and it's normal to want to rid your mouth of the foul substance as quickly as possible! Read on to learn more from your dentist about what causes oral thrush, along with some measures you can take to address it and maintain good oral health.
NEW: STUDY REVEALS LISTERINE® ANTISEPTIC 4.6X MORE EFFECTIVE THAN FLOSS FOR SUSTAINED PLAQUE REDUCTION. For all patients—including those who don't floss well or don't floss at all— LISTERINE® Antiseptic mouthwash can help achieve better oral health by reducing plaque on teeth.
If you've been diagnosed with periodontitis, your dentist may recommend a cleaning every 3 months. Adding LISTERINE® to your daily oral care routine can help reduce early gum disease.
Use a mouth rinse before bed
For an added boost to oral health, consider using a mouthwash or rinse before bed. A rinse will help to remove bacteria from your mouth and can effectively help prevent cavities.
Using a fluoride rinse does not replace daily brushing and flossing, but it should be used following your daily schedule at bedtime. Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after rinsing. It is important for the active ingredient to stay on your teeth for 30 minutes, so do not wash it away by eating, drinking or rinsing.