Uses of Mouthwashes
- Cut down on cavities. “It is absolutely true that rinsing with a fluoride rinse can help reduce cavities,” .“There are countless studies on the benefits of fluoride in reducing demineralization and cavitations of the teeth.”
- Fight gum disease. With diseases (such as gingivitis), gums and tooth sockets can get inflamed or infected because of plaque from bacteria and food that lingers on teeth. An antibacterial mouthwash, like one with alcohol or chlorhexidine, may help prevent periodontal disease.
- Soothe canker sores. “Mouthwash can ease a canker sore by detoxing the area — reducing the amount of bacteria that can irritate the site,” .
- Safeguard your pregnancy. Periodontal disease is actually a risk factor for giving birth to preterm, low-weight babies — the bacteria from a gum infection can get into a pregnant woman’s bloodstream and increase inflammatory markers, which in turn can stimulate contractions. it is found that moms-to-be who used mouthwash throughout their pregnancy were less likely to go into early labor.
Mouthwash clearly offers certain benefits — but it’s important to know that not all mouth rinses are the same. Saltwater rinses can be made at home with warm water and salt.
Cons Of Mouthwashes
Mouthwash is by no means a cure-all. In fact, mouthwash gets bad marks because it:
- Irritates canker sores. If the alcohol content of your mouth rinse is too high, it may actually end up irritating the canker sore more than helping it.
- Masks bad breath. “Mouthwash can lead to fresher breath, but it may be short-lived,” says Toscano. “If a patient has poor oral hygiene and doesn’t brush effectively, there is no amount of mouthwash that can mask the effects of poor health. Just using mouthwash would be equivalent to not bathing and using cologne to mask the smell.”
“Mouthwashes should not be used as a substitute for toothbrushing,”