Mark Wolff - a dentist and head of the department of dentistry at New York University of Dentistry said: “Currently, mouthwash not only acts as a solution to help deodorize, but also brings breath to the mouth. Fresh breath but also helps reduce gingivitis, tooth decay, tartar and plaque. At the same time, these products also help improve yellow teeth and whiten teeth".
“Danger” from mouthwash
Some mouthwashes on the market today contain alcohol - one of the causes of oral cancer. Especially for smokers, the risk of oral cavity cancer, pharyngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer is 9 times higher than that of normal people.
People who drink a lot of alcohol are 5 times more likely to suffer from the above diseases. Ethanol in mouthwash is also a carcinogen, can easily penetrate the surface of the oral cavity and cause harm to the body.
How to use mouthwash to achieve optimal results?
Use immediately after brushing teeth
Morning is the time when the most bacteria exist in the mouth. You only need to use mouthwash for about 1 minute to eliminate most of the active bacteria in the mouth.
In addition to the morning, using mouthwash should be the last step of the oral care process. Because this habit will help clean food debris that has been loosened by the brush but has not been completely removed.
Do not rinse your mouth with water
After rinsing your mouth with specialized mouthwash, you do not need to rinse with water. If you want to drink water, you should wait at least 10 minutes after the mouthwash is spit out.
For mouthwash containing fluoride, you should only use it once a day and should limit swallowing because some ingredients can cause allergies.
You do not need to rinse your mouth with water after using mouthwash
Pay attention to rinsing time
You should rinse your mouth for about 30–60 seconds. Rinsing your mouth for less than 30 seconds is not enough to effectively kill bacteria. On the contrary, rinsing for more than 60 seconds has an over-cleansing effect, which can be harmful to teeth.
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Advantages of mouthwash
Reduce tooth decay
This is absolutely true. Gargling with a solution containing fluoride will help reduce tooth decay. There are many studies on the benefits of fluoride in preventing demineralization and limiting the development of tooth decay.
Prevent periodontal disease
Periodontal disease (gingivitis) can occur when bacterial plaque and food stick to the teeth and gums. Antibacterial mouthwashes containing alcohol or chlorhexidine can help prevent periodontal disease.
Reduce mouth ulcers
Mouthwash can help ease the pain of canker sores by reducing the amount of bacteria that irritate the canker sore.
In many cases, you can also solve the problem simply with a bottle of salt water. Salt water can also be made at home by mixing warm water and salt.
Protect you during pregnancy
Periodontal disease can increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight because bacteria from gum infection mixes with the pregnant mother's bloodstream and increases the risk of infection and stimulates contractions.
A recent study found that expectant mothers who used mouthwash throughout their pregnancy were less likely to go into premature labor.
Disadvantages of mouthwash you need to pay attention to
Stimulates mouth ulcers
When the alcohol concentration in mouthwash is too high, it can irritate the mouth ulcer more than it heals it.
Bad breath
Mouthwash can help freshen your breath, but it only works for a short time.
You need to combine mouthwash with brushing to ensure that your breath will not smell bad
The use of mouthwash will depend on individual needs. Mouthwash's main effect is to eliminate bacteria in the oral cavity, help remove plaque and bring fresh breath. Using mouthwash only has the effect of "supporting" the oral care process and does not completely protect your teeth.
For optimal oral protection, you still need to follow the golden rules: brush your teeth regularly at least twice a day, change your toothbrush every 3 months, and use dental floss to remove plaque. between teeth, choose toothpaste containing fluoride to prevent cavities more effectively.
