When you think of your at-home oral health care routine, you may believe that brushing your teeth twice a day is good enough. Yet, when you stroll through the dental health aisle at the drug store you are reminded that you should be flossing – and what about mouthwash? There are many varieties out there claiming to benefit your oral health, so is mouthwash a necessary part of your oral hygiene routine?
Mouthwash is not necessary for those who brush their teeth at least twice a day and who floss every single day. Flossing your teeth is the best thing that you can do for your oral health because it removes food particles that are trapped between your teeth and bacteria-laden plaque that develops in the tight spaces between the teeth and at the gum line. Brushing the teeth loosens the plaque that builds up on the surface of the teeth so that it is expelled from the mouth when you rinse and spit.
However, if you are not an avid flosser and you occasionally skip out on brushing your teeth, mouthwash can be a beneficial tool for your mouth. When choosing a mouthwash, it is important to choose one with the American Dental Association’s (ADA’s) seal of approval. This seal lets you know that the mouthwash has been proven effective for fighting cavities and preventing gum disease. Both cavities and gum disease are caused by the bacteria within dental plaque and the acids that these bacteria produce. An antibacterial mouthwash will help to kill the bacteria inside the mouth so that it does not do damage to the teeth and gums. No mouthwash will remove plaque from the teeth, only flossing and brushing can do that, but it will help to lessen the damage that plaque can cause on the teeth.
While mouthwash is not considered a necessary part of your oral health routine, it can provide benefits to those who do not clean their mouths as they should. If you would like our recommendation for a good mouthwash, contact Pure Dental Health today. We want to promote the best choices for protecting your smile.
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