If you have cavities or are at a high risk of contracting gum diseases, your dentist may recommend an antibacterial mouthwash. Mouth rinses with fluoride can also help ward off tooth decay.
If you brush your teeth well, twice a day, and floss daily, mouthwash is not strictly necessary. However, most dentists highly recommend adding mouthwash to your morning and evening routine.
Three-Ingredient Mouthwash
1 cup of filtered water. 1 teaspoon of baking soda. 3 drops of peppermint essential oil.
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-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.
“Unfortunately, mouthwash doesn't differentiate and kills all bacteria. As a result, mouthwash can cause harm in the long run because it can disrupt the microbiome and impede the normal functioning of your body.”
For plaque control, look for mouthwashes that are antimicrobial, antiseptic, or germ-fighting. These contain ingredients like cetylpyridinium, chlorhexidine, or essential oils. “They kill the bacteria that cause plaque to build along the gum line that leads to tartar buildup and gum disease,” says Dr. Golpa.
Mouthwashes that kill 99.9% of the bacteria in your mouth are also killing off good bacteria. This can damage the mouth's microbiome and its ability to fight cavities, gingivitis and bad breath.
The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs' Acceptance of Listerine Antiseptic is based on its finding that the product is safe and has shown efficacy in helping to prevent and reduce gingivitis (and plaque above the gumline), when used as directed.
Like brushing and flossing our teeth, using a mouthwash can help bring down the level of destructive bacteria in your mouth. The benefit of killing “bad” bacteria — for example, bacteria that promote gum disease or tooth decay — far outweighs any potential risk of offsetting the level of “good” bacteria in your mouth.
Therabreath Sparkle Mint is an alcohol-free, fluoride mouthwash that targets bad breath-causing bacteria and leaves your breath feeling perfectly minty, making it our top overall pick for any person.
The study of 26 people showed that using mouthwash with chlorhexidine twice a day for a week was associated with a “significant” increase in systolic blood pressure. (That's the top number in your blood pressure reading, which measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats.)
It may cause dry mouth. Regular or excessive use of alcohol-based mouthwashes can dry out your mouth, which can lead to tooth sensitivity, bad breath, and even cavities.
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.
The downside of using alcohol-based mouthwash is that it sometimes leaves you with a burning sensation in your mouth. Moreover, alcohol can reduce saliva production and lead to dry mouth, a condition known as xerostomia.
This is because alcohol is highly acidic and can dissolve your teeth's enamel, the protective outer layer. Over time, exposure to alcohol can lead to tooth decay and eventual tooth loss if left untreated.
While getting rid of bad bacteria is great, using alcohol mouthwash could end up creating issues in your mouth instead of cleaning it. Alcohol is highly effective at killing bacteria and non alcohol mouthwash is not always as good for getting rid of bacteria.
The Mayo Clinic recommends using mouthwash after brushing and flossing your teeth.
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.
In general, people should use mouthwash two times per day: once in the morning and once in the evening after cleaning the teeth. However, if someone does not carry a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss around to clean teeth after each meal, rinsing with mouthwash is certainly better than doing nothing.
Rinse with warm salt water
Gargling salt water is a natural way to stop bad breath. Create a mixture of 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt to every 8 ounces of warm water. Swish a swig of the mixture around your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit it out. Repeat as needed.